Sora, OpenAI's AI-powered video generation app, has officially launched for Android users in select countries, expanding its reach beyond its initial iOS debut. The app is now available for download on the Google Play Store in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This expansion is expected to significantly increase the app’s user base, building on its rapid success on iOS platforms.
Sora first made headlines in September with its iOS launch, when it shot to the top of the App Store charts and surpassed one million downloads within its first week. Its popularity was fueled by its ability to let users create and share AI-generated videos featuring their own likeness, a feature that instantly resonated with fans of short-form video content. With the arrival of its Android version, Sora is poised to attract an even broader audience, potentially driving another surge in downloads and engagement.
The Android release brings all the features that made the iOS version popular. Among these is the “Cameos” functionality, which allows users to generate videos of themselves performing a range of activities, all powered by artificial intelligence. Users simply provide a photo of themselves, and Sora’s AI creates realistic videos depicting them in various scenarios—from dancing to cooking to playing sports—without the user ever having to appear on camera.
Sora’s interface is designed for social sharing, with a feed similar to TikTok’s, enabling users to browse, like, and comment on videos created by others. This social feed is a strategic move by OpenAI, positioning Sora as a direct competitor to established platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Meta’s recently launched AI video feed, Vibes. The growing popularity of AI-generated content and short-form video creates a competitive environment, and Sora’s unique technology gives it an edge in this rapidly evolving space.
However, Sora has not been without controversy. Soon after its initial launch, users began creating and sharing deepfake videos featuring historical and public figures, including disrespectful depictions of Martin Luther King Jr. The backlash was swift, with critics raising concerns about misuse and the potential harm of AI-generated deepfakes. In response, OpenAI took decisive action: it temporarily suspended the generation of videos featuring Dr. King and implemented stricter content moderation policies to prevent similar issues in the future.
Another area of contention has involved the use of copyrighted characters. Users began uploading videos featuring well-known intellectual properties like SpongeBob SquarePants and Pikachu. This raised alarm among rights holders, who called for better protections against unauthorized use of their creations. Responding to the criticism, OpenAI shifted its policy for the Sora app from an “opt-out” model—where rights holders had to request removal—to an “opt-in” system, requiring explicit permission before copyrighted characters can appear in user-generated videos. This change aims to respect intellectual property rights while maintaining a creative platform for users.
Sora has also found itself embroiled in a legal dispute