Australian model Miranda Kerr has told a British magazine that she’s appalled at Facebook for copying features from her fiancée Evan Spiegel’s company Snapchat.
Here are just a few features which Facebook and Instagram (which is owned by Mark Zuckerberg) have ‘borrowed’ from Snapchat:
- One of the defining feature of Snapchat is ‘disappearing photos and videos’ which users can send to someone directly. Last year, Instagram announced disappearing photos and videos for groups and friends in Instagram Direct.
- Instagram’s announced a Live feature which is similar to Snapchat’s Live Stories which is a compilation of Snaps from different Snapchatters at events and locations around the world. Live Stories are curated by Snapchat, and typically appear for 24 hours.
- Instagram launched a new feature called ‘Instagram Stories’ giving users the ability to collate photos and videos into a ‘story’ which will disappear after 24 hours. Snapchat has exactly he same feature called ‘Snapchat Stories’.
In a recent chat with Richard Godwin of The Sunday Times, Kerr ripped into Facebook for lacking innovation and fresh ideas:
I cannot STAND Facebook,” she volunteers. She is not on Facebook itself, but she does have ten million followers on Instagram, which is owned by Mark Zuckerberg’s company. Instagram recently introduced a range of Snapchat-esque features, which has drawn out her protective streak.
Can they not be innovative? Do they have to steal all of my partner’s ideas? I’m so appalled by that . . . When you directly copy someone, that’s not innovation.” And then a sudden look of panic crosses her face. “Do I get to approve this interview? Crystal!” She admonishes her publicist who long ago drifted out of the conversation. “Oh I don’t even care. It’s a disgrace. How do they sleep at night?”
You’re looking at Snapchat’s PR girl right here,” says Crystal, finally tuning into the conversation.
