As if Meta hadn’t irritated its users enough by introducing a paid subscription service just like Twitter, it now appears to be copying another one of its rivals.
Engineers are reportedly testing a feature for Facebook Messenger that asks members of a group chat to quickly send photos via their front and back cameras.
This is reminiscent of the app BeReal, which prompts users to take an unfiltered picture every day using both cameras simultaneously.
Details about the new feature, called ‘Roll Call’, were leaked by social media industry analyst Matt Navarra on Twitter.
It comes shortly after Instagram and TikTok both launched their own copycat BeReal features.
Engineers are reportedly testing a feature for Facebook Messenger that asks members of a group chat to quickly send a photo via their front and back cameras. Details about the new feature, called ‘Roll Call’, were leaked by social media industry analyst Matt Navarra on Twitter
It is reminiscent of the app BeReal, which prompts users to take an unfiltered picture every day using both cameras simultaneously
With the feature, Facebook Messenger users can create and send custom prompts, such as ‘show me your lunch’, to a group chat they are in.
All members then have five minutes to respond to the prompt with their own ‘in the moment’ set of images or videos, and a countdown clock is added to the thread.
Only those who respond to the prompt can view others’ responses, but members are able to unsend their responses if they aren’t happy with them.
The Roll Call prompt itself can be completely deleted too if everyone involved unsends their responses.
A description of the feature describes it as a ‘fun, pay to play experience’, suggesting that it will cost users money to add it to Facebook Messenger.
It reads: ‘Roll Call helps people share authentic moments with friends and family in Messenger group chats, initially supporting photos and videos’.
This is a similar premise to BeReal, a photo-sharing app that shot to the top of the UK and US app charts last May, quickly becoming a fierce rival of Instagram and Snapchat.
Those who have the app downloaded receive a daily notification, which gives them just two minutes to take a selfie and photo of what is in front of them.
This goes out to all users worldwide at the same time, and appears to be where it differs from Meta’s Roll Call, which is tailored to specific, private group chats.
Like other social media apps, BeReal users can follow friends and see their photos in the main feed, or search through a Discovery page to see photos taken by those they do not follow.
Facebook Messenger users can create and send custom prompts, such as ‘show me your lunch’, to a group chat they are in. All members then have five minutes to respond to the prompt with their own ‘in the moment’ set of images or video
A description of the feature describes it as a ‘fun, pay to play experience’, suggesting that it will cost users money to add it to Facebook Messenger
Meta is the parent company of Instagram and Facebook. Rumours that Meta was developing a BeReal copycat feature for Instagram started swirling in August last year (stock image)
However, rivals Instagram and Snapchat are known to be crammed full of heavily edited photos showing people with seemingly smooth skin and perfect figures.
The lack of filters available on BeReal, plus the fact it does not allow users to endlessly retake their photos to catch their best angle, is what makes it unique.
A BeReal spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘It is a place where real life is captured, free from the need to create, cultivate and amass influence.
‘By not focusing on followers, likes and filters, BeReal connects users with spontaneity and authenticity.’
Meta spokesperson Liz Sweeney has said that, for now, Roll Call for Facebook Messenger is an ‘an internal prototype, and not testing externally’, according to The Verge.
The lack of filters available on BeReal, plus the fact it does not allow users to endlessly retake their photos to catch their best angle, is what makes it unique
The ‘IG Candid Challenges’ feature was spotted by developer Alessandro Paluzzi last year
But rumours that Meta was developing a copycat feature for Instagram, named ‘IG Candid Challenges’, started swirling in August last year.
Screenshots were leaked on Twitter by developer Alessandro Paluzzi, which read: ‘Join IG Candid Challenges. Add other’s IG Candid to your story tray. And everyday at a different time, get a notification to capture and share a Photo in 2 Minutes.’
This came just after Instagram added its ‘Dual’ camera feature, which allows users to take a photo or video with both their phone’s front and back cameras simultaneously for a Story.
In response to the tweet, Meta spokeswoman Christine Pai said that IG Candid is an ‘internal prototype’ and is not being tested externally yet.
Then, in December, Mr Paluzzi tweeted a few screenshots of the Roll Call feature on Instagram group chats, as well as a variation called ‘Glimpse’ .
Pressing the button for Glimpse, which appears next to Stories, allows the user to take simultaneous front and back-facing photos.
Then, in December, Mr Paluzzi tweeted a few screenshots of the Roll Call feature on Instagram group chats. Content sent in response to this prompt is also deleted after 24 hours
Pressing the button for Glimpse, which appears next to Stories, allows the user to take simultaneous front and back-facing photos. These are then added to the user’s Glimpse story, and can only be viewed by followers who have uploaded their own too
These are then added to the user’s Glimpse story, and can only be viewed by followers who have uploaded their own too.
Content sent in response to the Instagram version of ‘Roll Call’ is also deleted after 24 hours.
Meta isn’t the only one getting a slice of the BeReal action as, in September, TikTok rolled out its own copycat feature ‘TikTok Now‘.
This sends users a daily prompt to capture a 10-second video or a static photo using their phone’s front and rear cameras within three minutes.
Several disgruntled BeReal fans were quick to point out the similarities between the two features.
One user tweeted: ‘TikTok launches its BeReal clone “TikTok Now”. You either die an innovator or live long enough to see yourself become the copycat.’
And one joked: ‘The moment we were able to take pictures of ourselves was the moment civilization started to fall.’
Meta isn’t the only one getting a slice of the BeReal action as, in September, TikTok rolled out its own copycat feature ‘ TikTok Now’
‘Why would Instagram copy Twitter?’ Users SLAM Meta’s plan to charge fee for verification
Meta has announced that it would soon be charging social media users a monthly subscription fee to be verified on Facebook and Instagram.
Verification results in a ‘blue tick’ badge appearing on one’s profile, confirming it is being run by the person or company it claims to represent.
Acquiring one is currently free, but Mark Zuckerberg has revealed that, later this week, users will be able to add one by paying $12 each month for ‘Meta Verified’.
The new product comes just two months after Elon Musk rolled out ‘Twitter Blue’, an $8/month subscription service for blue tick verification on the rival social network.
Meta users have been vocal about their distaste for the ‘utterly ridiculous’ Meta Verified, asking ‘why would Instagram copy Twitter?’.
Meta has announced that it would soon be charging social media users a monthly subscription fee to be verified on Facebook and Instagram
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