The question for Snap to decide now is not just how it will enforce its terms on anonymous apps, but whether it’s worth allowing anonymous apps to operate given their documented dangers - and their potential tragic, as well as legal, consequences. Other high-profile anonymous app failures include Secret, which became a home to cyberbullying Sarahah, which was banned by the app stores and later pivoted Yik Yak, whose founders left for Square after the app became plagued by cyberbullying and After School, which also got kicked out of the App Store. To date, only anonymous platforms like Glassdoor and Blind, which focus on workplace chatter and career advice, have seemed to thrive. After numerous teen suicides related to Ask.fm’s anonymous platform, its owner IAC sold off the toxic property to an asset management firm. The tech industry is littered with anonymous social apps that failed due to issues with cyberbullying. (Sendit didn’t respond to a request for more information about its app’s operations.) Sendit’s App Store reviews (see photos) indicate that is, indeed, taking place. For example, nonprofit Common Sense Media, an independent source for media recommendations and advice for families, pointed out that “anonymity on social media can easily lead teens down a slippery slope of poor choices.” The organization said that while teens will be drawn to the excitement of responding anonymously - perhaps learning that someone might have a crush on them - “hiding behind anonymity can also bring out hatefulness and sexually explicit risk taking.” It has yet to announce any policy changes as result of that investigation, but some child advocates would argue that anonymous apps should have no place in a teenager’s life at all.Įven before the Snap lawsuit, apps like Yolo and LMK had raised concerns among child advocates and parents alike.
The company tells us that it’s continuing to review developers to ensure their compliance.
In practice, however - as the lawsuit highlighted - there appears to be an issue with how well those terms are enforced on Snap’s end. Image Credits: Screenshot of public App Store review of sendit username redacted
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