NGL claims to offer a space for teens to share their feelings without judgment; however, the complaint argues that the app shares similarities with a line of anonymous messaging apps notorious for content moderation and safety issues. The anonymity the app provides is said to create an environment conducive to more intense and frequent cyberbullying, potentially leading to serious consequences such as mental health issues and suicidality.
The complaint also highlights NGL’s marketing of a paid “Pro” plan, allowing users to unveil the identity of message senders. Yet, it’s alleged that despite NGL’s marketing insinuating that users can discover message senders’ identities, the app itself has no way of ascertaining this information.
In an unprecedented move, parent and social media reform advocate Kristin Bride, who lost her son to cyberbullying, has joined Fairplay in pressing this complaint. Bride believes that NGL is further monetizing a dangerous product and that developers should be held accountable for their unsafe designs.
