​London, Jan 18 (IANS) A month after photo-sharing app Instagram launched live video streaming in the US, the feature has now been expanded to Britain.

According to a report in Engadget, people in Britain can now swipe across into the camera and select "Live" mode.

"The feature is making its debut on this side of the Atlantic -- as well as in Germany, France, Brazil, Canada and Japan -- helping to build out Instagram's burgeoning stories platform," the report noted.

Unlike Facebook and Twitter's Periscope, real-time videos on Instagram are designed to be ephemeral which means they will disappear as soon as recording ends.

Users can also hide live video from certain people, such as parents or co-workers. They can leave comments and tap the 'Heart' button to send floating hearts into view.