Anonymous Sharing App Secret Is Shutting Down

Advertisement
By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 30 April 2015 10:00 IST
Anonymous Sharing App Secret Is Shutting Down
Secret, a smartphone app that gained notoriety for allowing users to make anonymous comments to friends and nearby people, said Wednesday it was shutting down after just 16 months.

Co-founder David Byttow said in a blog post he made the decision in consultation with the board, and that the "significant amount of invested capital" would be returned to investors.

Byttow did not offer a detailed explanation for the shutdown but noted that "Secret does not represent the vision I had when starting the company, so I believe it's the right decision for myself, our investors and our team."

The company raised an estimated $35 million (roughly Rs. 222 crores) from investors. It was unclear how much of those funds remained.

Secret was one of the popular smartphone apps which enabled people to express themselves anonymously, sometimes generating controversy for mean or hurtful comments.

Advertisement

"I'm extremely proud of our team, which has built a product that was used by over 15 million people and pushed the boundaries of traditional social media," Byttow said.

"I believe in honest, open communication and creative expression, and anonymity is a great device to achieve it. But it's also the ultimate double-edged sword, which must be wielded with great respect and care. I look forward to seeing what others in this space do over time."

Advertisement

Last year, when it announced a round of funding, Secret said it was aiming to expand as a social network connecting Facebook friends. At the time, the market value of Secret was estimated at $100 million (roughly Rs. 635 crores).

One feature allowed users to log in with Facebook and share with friends without revealing their identities.

Advertisement

Anonymous apps have become popular, especially with students, but some critics say they may be used to spread false rumors or contribute to "cyberbullying."

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Anonymous, Apps, Secret App, Secret
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Vivo Y400 Pro 5G India Launch Date Confirmed; Design Revealed
  2. Realme Narzo 80 Lite Launching Today: All You Need to Know
  3. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 May Get Big Gemini Live Upgrades
  4. Motorola Edge 60 Fusion Review
  1. Realme Narzo 80 Lite 5G MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, 6,000mAh Battery Launched in India: Price, Specifications
  2. Google Pixel 10 Series Said to Offer Improved Audio With Upgraded Speakers
  3. Vivo Y400 Pro 5G India Launch Date Set for June 20; Design Revealed
  4. iPhone’s Lock Screen Will Display Animated Artwork from Third-Party Music Apps With iOS 26: Report
  5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 Said to Get New Gemini Live Features, Upgrades
  6. NASA Chandra Spots Distant X-Ray Jet; Telescope Faces Major Budget Cuts
  7. JWST Reveals Pluto’s Haze Cools Atmosphere, Paints Charon’s Poles Red
  8. Earth’s Oceans Enter Danger Zone Due to Rising Acidification, New Study Warns
  9. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24 Price Lowered on Amazon With Discounts, Cashback Offers
  10. Maryade Prashne Now Streaming on SunNXT: Everything You Need to Know
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.