Chinese Internet giant ByteDance has announced plans to shut down two apps in its largest overseas market, India, and urged users to switch to TikTok.
Vigo Video and Vigo Lite, two apps that allow users to create and share short videos and lip-sync Bollywood songs, announced earlier on Monday that they will be discontinued by the end of October this year.
In a 'farewell letter', ByteDance said it was sad to shut down the apps, but did not comment on the decision Make an explanation. Indian news media Entrackr first spotted the letter.
Unlike TikTok, ByteDance's most popular apps Vigo Video and Vigo Lite are struggling to make inroads in the world's second-largest internet market.
While TikTok has more than 200 million users in India, Vigo Video had about 4 million monthly active users last month, while Vigo Lite could only amass 1.5 million users, according to a top mobile insights firm.
While Vigo Video gained less than 1 million subscribers in a year, Vigo Lite lost an equal number of users over the same period.
ByteDance counts India as the largest market for both apps, but has launched the app in several other markets as well, including neighboring Bangladesh, for example.
It's unclear whether ByteDance will discontinue the app in each of these markets. The move comes as a surprise, despite the app's poor response in India.
ByteDance's job post submitted last month described Vigo as one of the company's largest operations in India.
Other posts indicate that the company is looking to hire executives to actively explore ways to monetize its services in the country.
ByteDance's TikTok app has come under scrutiny in India in recent weeks for failing to proactively remove videos that promote violence, animal cruelty, racism, child abuse and the "objectification" of women.
In a message sent to users of the Vigo app on Monday, ByteDance said it would help them migrate their videos to TikTok.
On TikTok, the message reads, "you will be able to showcase your talent to a larger group of friends. We are eager to see you (out there)!"
