Wizz, a social media app gaining popularity among US teens, faced a significant setback this week as it was removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The move came after the National Center on Sexual Exploitation raised concerns with Apple about Wizz’s alleged involvement in sextortion scams, prompting a swift response.
Apple and Google Take Action
Emails reviewed by NBC News revealed that an Apple representative acknowledged the seriousness of the violations, assuring the National Center on Sexual Exploitation that the app had been removed from the App Store, and they were in communication with the developer.
A Google spokesperson also confirmed that Wizz was suspended from Google Play on Tuesday, citing the company’s child endangerment policy. This policy requires apps to prevent users from creating, uploading, or distributing content that facilitates the exploitation or abuse of children.
Wizz, often compared to Tinder, is owned by the French parent company Voodoo, funded by notable entities like Goldman Sachs, Tencent, and GBL. The app allows users as young as 13 to set up accounts, connecting with others in the same “age-gated” group.
Concerns surrounding Wizz have grown in recent months as child safety and technology research groups gathered information about the app. At least two content creators withdrew from a Wizz-sponsored content creation house this month, citing concerns raised by child safety advocates regarding Wizz and sextortion.
Read more: Experts Discuss The Pros And Cons Of A Plant-Based Lifestyle
Wizz Faces Backlash
A study by the Network Contagion Research Institute revealed that Wizz has been used in “financial sextortion” scams, where criminals coerce kids and teens into sending explicit images online, threatening to publish or send the images unless they pay up repeatedly.
The FBI defines sextortion as a crime that can lead to devastating consequences, including suicide. The recent study criticized Wizz, along with other platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, for inadequate efforts to protect minors online.
The removal of Wizz from the app stores affects approximately 20 million active users. However, Wizz remains optimistic, stating they are working closely with Apple and Google to clarify their platform’s safeguards for users and resolve the matter soon.
The controversy surrounding Wizz highlights the challenges social media platforms face in adequately addressing risks to underage users and the potential financial incentives that may influence their approach to these issues.
Read more: Alec Baldwin Faces Arraignment In ‘Rust’ Movie-Set Shooting Case
