YouTube appears to be building a social feature called Tamba

YouTube may be building a social feature called Tamba. Android Authority reports that code in the latest YouTube app points to a project with that name. It appears to include followers, direct messages and group chats. YouTube has not announced anything.

What was found

Code inside an app can show what a company is testing. The report says the code suggests a social experience built around a few familiar tools.

• Followers, so you could follow other people
• Direct messages, which are private one-on-one chats
• Group chats with several people at once

The report calls Tamba mysterious. Beyond those hints, the material does not say how it would work or who could use it.

Why it matters

YouTube is mostly a place to watch videos. If Tamba launches, it could also become a place to chat with friends and follow people. That could change how much time families spend in the app. It could also bring new privacy settings to check, especially for children and teens.

What is not known yet

YouTube has not confirmed Tamba. The name and the features could still change, and the project could be dropped. There is no launch date, no word on which countries or devices would get it, and no detail on safety or parental controls.

What happens next

Code findings often show early work, not finished products. Until YouTube says more, there is nothing to turn on or off. If the feature does arrive, the settings for who can message you or find you will be worth a look.