Amid the TikTok ban drama, Elon Musk has teased the possibility of bringing back Vine, the app where short-form content creation found a new direction. The owner of X (formerly Twitter) hinted at “looking into” the possibility of reviving the app. The possibility of Vine’s return could introduce an alternative platform to TikTok users.
Is Elon Musk bringing back Vine?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has ignited the hope of re-introducing Vine, the OG app where short-form videos found their first foothold. If X can integrate Vine with the social media platform’s already established structure, as Instagram allows Reels, the app may have an advantage that will encourage many to return to Vine creation. Musk has not shared much details about his plans. But he responded to a user’s request on X to bring Vine back by simply stating, “We’re looking into it.”
Rus Yusupov, Dom Hofmann, and Colin Kroll established Vine in 2012, and Twitter, Inc. purchased the app four months after its launch. Vine boasted over 200 million active users within three years of its launch.
However, the app did not survive while competing with other popular social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Twitter announced the official closure of Vine at the beginning of 2017. The app went offline on January 17, 2017.
In the absence of Vine, Instagram and TikTok became the significant platforms that saw the boom of short-form video content. Later, YouTube joined the race with Shorts. Currently, X does not have any separate model that can compete with IG Reels. So, Vine could add a special perk of X that users are eager to try out.
Meanwhile, TikTok has resumed functioning in the US after 14 hours of being unavailable. As per the app’s official statement, Trump has played a crucial role in reviving the app in the country. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans,” the statement reads in part.
TikTok also highlighted the app’s impact on “over 7 million small businesses” that used the platform to run several operations. The statement reads, “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
