
Where’s the originality in tech these days? Following a ban on Clubhouse by the Chinese government, TikTok owner ByteDance is reportedly building its own audio chat room app; though, according to people familiar with the matter, it’s still in the early stages.
Clubhouse was banned in China on February 8 after users were found discussing sensitive issues restricted by the government — talk about hefty detention! In fact, the ban sparked the release of dozens of similar apps in the country.
ByteDance isn’t the only tech company guilty of imitating popular tech trends. Netflix (NFLX) announced its plans to launch a TikTok clone. “Fast Laughs” will feature vertically displayed funny clips that range from 15 to 60 seconds in length. Perhaps the new feature will offer a fun distraction for people who find themselves struggling to decide on which show or movie to watch next.