TikTok is giving users new ways to interact with others via direct messages (DMs), the company told TechCrunch on Friday. Users will now be able to send voice notes and share up to nine images or videos in one-to-one and group chats on the platform. With these new features, TikTok is positioning itself as more than just an entertainment platform, aiming to become a place where users interact regularly beyond simply sending each other TikTok videos.
To send a message to someone, tap the share icon in Now Playing view when listening to a song, podcast, or audiobook, choose a friend, and hit send. Your suggested people to message are based on factors like whether you've shared Spotify content with them before, joined Jams or Blends together, or made a collaborative playlist with them. Members of your Family or Duo plan will also appear as suggestions since Spotify assumes you interact with them.
We're not encrypting our DMs. It's really about just connecting directly and talking to people about whatever is happening now, which I think makes encryption less core to the experience.