FTC: Anonymous Question App Sendit Deceived Children And Illegally Collected Their Data
The Anonymous question app Sendit deceived children and illegally collected their data, FTC alleges, in a new complaint that shines a spotlight on growing risks for teens using anonymous Q&A platforms.
Image Credits:Sendit
According to the Federal Trade Commission, Sendit misled young users, tricked them into buying memberships, and illegally harvested data from kids under 13 without parental consent. The app, once widely popular with Gen Z, is now under fire for practices that regulators say crossed legal boundaries.
How Sendit Rose To Popularity
Sendit became a hit with teens by letting users ask anonymous questions through Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Its popularity spiked in 2021, after rival apps YOLO and LMK were banned from Snapchat following a lawsuit tied to a teen’s suicide.
By 2022, Sendit had racked up more than 3.5 million downloads. But behind its rapid growth, regulators say, were practices designed to exploit its youngest users.
FTC Claims: Fake Messages And Misleading Payments
Reports from TechCrunch and the FTC revealed that Sendit allegedly sent fake, provocative questions such as “Would you ever get with me?” or “Have you done drugs?” to lure teens into paying for answers.
The app then offered a $9.99 “Diamond Membership” to reveal who sent the message. However, the FTC says users weren’t told this was a recurring weekly fee, not a one-time purchase. Worse, in some cases, the “identities” provided weren’t real at all—because the messages had been generated by Sendit itself.
Illegal Data Collection From Children
One of the most serious allegations is that Sendit illegally collected data from children under 13, a direct violation of COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act).
The FTC cited a 2022 case where more than 116,000 users reported being under 13. Instead of alerting parents or seeking permission, Sendit’s parent company Iconic Hearts allegedly kept the data without disclosure.
Deceptive Marketing Tactics
The controversy didn’t stop there. Sendit was also accused of deceptive marketing. According to TechCrunch, users complained in app store reviews that Sendit for Instagram was promoted as “Sendit Reveal,” promising to expose the identities behind anonymous questions.
But in reality, many of these “reveals” were fabricated, keeping users trapped in a cycle of payments and false promises.
What This Means For Parents And Teens
The FTC’s case against Sendit highlights the growing dangers of anonymous question apps. While they may seem like fun tools for connecting with friends, these platforms can exploit children, encourage risky behavior, and misuse personal data.
Parents are urged to monitor app downloads closely and educate their kids about online privacy. For regulators, this case could set a precedent in how anonymous social apps are held accountable for protecting young users.
Post a Comment