This message will self-destruct in 3, 2, 1…

Facebook is making another move to assert itself into the private messaging space, as the company is reportedly working on a standalone app that takes its cues from another popular messaging app called Snapchat.

Snapchat allows users to send and receive covert messages that have a pre-determined shelf life. When a user chooses to send a photo, text, or video message, they also choose how long they want the message to exist. When that amount of time passes (could be seconds, could be hours), the message is wiped from the recipient’s phone and from the Snapchat servers. If the recipient happens to screencap the message, the Snapchat app will let the sender know.

Snapchat says their app is “instantly fun and insanely playful,” and apparently Facebook wants to capitalize on the concept with their one billion+ MAUs. All Things D quotes sources familiar with the matter who say that the company is currently testing their own version of the Snapchat app that would exist separately from the Facebook app – similar to how their standalone Messenger and Camera apps work.

The sources claim that Facebook is so close to launching the app that it will be here before the end of the year.

“Fun and playful,” yes – but Snapchat has also been dubbed the “sexting” app by some. That’s made it controversial with some parents, who are worried that the self-destructing nature of the messages leads them to be used for “inappropriate” communications. Facebook could have a big hit on its hands if they can create a good app, considering they have something Snapchat doesn’t have – an already in-place network of a billion users. If the app is good enough, Facebook could very well steal this concept from the popular-in-its-own-right Snapchat.

[Lead Image is Snapchat, not the rumored Facebook app]