ByteDance to shut down video sharing platform Vigo in India

Chinese internet technology company ByteDance said it will shut down its short video social networking platform Vigo Video in India from October 31. 

The app has already been discontinued in Brazil and the Middle East, as per a statement.

“Moving forward, we have decided to focus energy and resources on other businesses. We want to thank all of our Vigo Video users for the time they have spent with us on the platform and providing us the opportunity to bring a little bit of joy into their lives,” a statement on the platform’s website said. 

Launched in 2017, Vigo Video allows users to create and share 15-second videos on varied topics such as cooking, beauty, art and music, as well as form communities based on similar interests. The app has been downloaded 10 crore times, as per data on Google Play Store.

Those using the platform can export their content to TikTok, the statement said. Users have been provided with detailed instructions on downloading their personal data, including videos, personal information, chat history and favorites list, or deleting their account permanently, the statement added.

TikTok is the Beijing headquartered firm’s most popular platform, which has witnessed over two million downloads globally. Last month, its user ratings reportedly fell to 2 stars from 4.6 on the Google Play Store following an alleged argument between a YouTube influencer and a TikTok creator in India. 

Despite the ratings downgrade, TikTok continued to be the most downloaded app in the non-game segment, with close to 111.9 million installs in May, compared to 131 million in April, according to data from Sensor Tower. With 22.38 million installs, India accounted for nearly 20% of the total downloads in May, a mere 7% fall from 24 million in April. 

In April 2019, TikTok was barred under a court order in India, although the order was reversed within a week. 

Founded in 2012 by Yiming Zhang, ByteDance also runs other platforms such as Toutiao, Duoyin, Xigua Video, Duoshan, Faceu, Helo and Buzz Video. The company is backed by venture capital firms including Sequoia Capital, Coatue Management and KKR. It also counts HillHouse Capital and SoftBank as investors, as per information on its website.