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Anonymous messaging app NGL announced<\/a> on Friday that it has been acquired by Mode Mobile, a smartphone rewards company that makes money by flooding its users with ads.<\/p>\n NGL quickly climbed the App Store charts after its launch in late 2021, joining a group of similar apps<\/a> popular among teens that allow users to send and receive anonymous questions and messages. But it\u2019s been embroiled in controversy for most of its existence.<\/p>\n Anonymous messaging apps are problematic because they can encourage bullying among teens \u2014 Snapchat banned<\/a> third-party apps like NGL, LMK, Sendit, and YOLO from its platform in 2022 after a parent sued the company for its alleged role in her teenage son\u2019s suicide.<\/p>\n NGL also came under fire for its shady growth hacking tactics, like sending fake messages to users that seemed like they were from real people but were actually automated by the app. Some users were tricked into paying a $9.99 monthly subscription to get hints about who sent the messages, which were fake.<\/p>\n After a two-year investigation, the FTC announced<\/a> in 2024 that it would ban NGL from offering its app to minors \u2014 one of its most drastic interventions to protect minors from harmful social media experiences.<\/p>\n \u201cNGL\u2019s bait-and-switch tactic prompted many consumers to complain, which NGL executives laughed off, dismissing such users as \u2018suckers\u2019,\u201d the FTC said in a statement at the time. NGL paid a $5 million fine to the FTC and complied with its demands.<\/p>\n NGL\u2019s two founders, Raj Vir and Jo\u00e3o Figueiredo, are moving on from the app, according to Business Insider<\/a>. The remaining three employees of the app will work for Mode Mobile.<\/p>\n Techcrunch event<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSan Francisco<\/span> Given NGL\u2019s track record of dubious growth hacking, this partnership with Mode Mobile seems like a good match.<\/p>\n Mode Mobile<\/a> makes a smartphone, which it calls the \u201cearnphone,\u201d that has \u201cbuilt-in earning features.\u201d The company claims that users can make money by performing everyday tasks on their phone, like listening to music, playing games, and browsing the web. According to the company\u2019s investor materials<\/a>, Mode Mobile generates revenue from \u201cdigital advertising partners\u201d that \u201cpay for user attention and engagement.\u201d Basically, your phone is constantly flooded with ads, but you might make enough money to buy a round of beers at a dive bar.<\/p>\n The terms of the sale were not disclosed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 13-15, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n