• PostSecret Creator Removes iOS App In Response to Unrelenting Trolls

    by
    Phillip Swanson
    Published on 2012-01-02 10:20 PM
    13 Comments Comments

    PostSecret App Trailer released earlier this year.

    PostSecret founder Frank Warren announced today that after three months he is pulling the popular iOS app.

    “Bad content caused users to complain to me, Apple and the FBI. I was contacted by law enforcement about bad content on the App. Threats were made against users, moderators and my family. As much as we tried, we were unable to maintain a bully-free environment. Weeks ago I had to remove the App from my daughter’s phone,” — Warren in a blog post today.
    PostSecret has become an international phenomenon and the dedicated fan-base and user-base followed the blog to the iOS platform posting nearly 2 million secrets during the apps 3-month life cycle. The $1.99 app even enjoyed a nice stay as the top selling app in the App Store. However, the anonymity and ease of posting via iOS and the ability to comment on and react to posted secrets created a safe haven for a small number of vicious trolls.

    "99% of the secrets created were in the spirit of PostSecret. Unfortunately, the scale of secrets was so large that even 1% of bad content was overwhelming for our dedicated team of volunteer moderators who worked 24 hours a day 7 days a week removing content that was not just pornographic but also gruesome and at times threatening," — Warren.
    PostSecret plans to maintain its longstanding blog and users can continue to share their inner-most secrets anonymously via snail mail.





    Sources: PostSecret [via iPhoneHacks]
    This article was originally published in forum thread: PostSecret Creator Removes iOS App In Response to Unrelenting Trolls started by Phillip Swanson View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iPhone,
    3. iPad,
    4. iOS,
    5. Apple,
    6. Mac,
    7. iPad
    Comments 13 Comments
    1. n80r's Avatar
      n80r - 2012-01-02, 10:29 PM
      sad... why would you waste 1.99 to troll
    1. MrBucket101's Avatar
      MrBucket101 - 2012-01-02, 10:59 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by n80r View Post
      sad... why would you waste 1.99 to troll
      for teh lolz of course

      for teh lolz

      and most of those trolls probably didn't pay
    1. jmcgee_jr's Avatar
      jmcgee_jr - 2012-01-02, 11:16 PM
      This sounds like a real life gossip girl app.
    1. celeron's Avatar
      celeron - 2012-01-02, 11:19 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by jmcgee_jr View Post
      This sounds like a real life gossip girl app.
      +1 never even used this app and never heard of anyone using it either
    1. iLoveWindows&iPhone's Avatar
      iLoveWindows&iPhone - 2012-01-02, 11:34 PM
      Never had heard of this app....just checked it out, it seems really interesting and entertaining, as you can still view old posts. Anyone know of any good alternatives?
    1. ccoltmanm's Avatar
      ccoltmanm - 2012-01-02, 11:51 PM
      Nice trailer. The dog bit choked me up a bit.

      Good concept, probably well implemented, I don't want to use it. Too bad it's being pulled, seems like it would help people that want to vent.
    1. Zokunei's Avatar
      Zokunei - 2012-01-02, 11:58 PM
      About the stuff in the video, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to get counseling from someone (professional or not) for most of that stuff. Using that app the way it's used in the video is almost as useless as trolling. The app concept actually kind of disturbs me.

      I like the top comment though xD
    1. iLoveWindows&iPhone's Avatar
      iLoveWindows&iPhone - 2012-01-03, 01:58 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Zokunei View Post
      About the stuff in the video, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to get counseling from someone (professional or not) for most of that stuff. Using that app the way it's used in the video is almost as useless as trolling. The app concept actually kind of disturbs me.

      I like the top comment though xD
      Most people do not, and will not seek or accept professional (or non professional) help. Maybe it's not the best format for people to express their thoughts and feelings, but I believe it is better then doing nothing. And out of the few posts that I read, it seemed like people were truly giving others genuine support. Sometimes people just need to get things of their chest. It almost seems like a digital version of Alcoholics Anonymous (or any other similar support group). Only difference is this is ACTUALLY ANONYMOUS, unlike AA.
    1. rkswat's Avatar
      rkswat - 2012-01-03, 02:45 AM
      So is the maker going to refund the 1.99 to every one that bought the app? They paid for a service no longer available.... seems like a big scam to me.

      So MMi still hasn't fixed the issue with not being able to see all the comments after you post one? Any who..... just watched the vid. I think it's funny as hell and wish I would of been on board (never even heard of the app until this thread) I would of loved to go in and respond to some of the (most likely) very twisted people using that app. Oh well, guess I have to pay better attention.
    1. Zokunei's Avatar
      Zokunei - 2012-01-03, 03:00 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by iLoveWindows&iPhone View Post
      Most people do not, and will not seek or accept professional (or non professional) help. Maybe it's not the best format for people to express their thoughts and feelings, but I believe it is better then doing nothing. And out of the few posts that I read, it seemed like people were truly giving others genuine support. Sometimes people just need to get things of their chest. It almost seems like a digital version of Alcoholics Anonymous (or any other similar support group). Only difference is this is ACTUALLY ANONYMOUS, unlike AA.
      I forgot about the possibility of receiving support from the replies. You're right.
    1. JPili's Avatar
      JPili - 2012-01-03, 04:22 AM
      -___- so that's why i couldn't find the app yesterday... STUPID TROLLS. I only heard about the app yesterday (stupid i know) and now i cant use it!!
    1. hadzo's Avatar
      hadzo - 2012-01-03, 08:04 PM
      why did they filter it anyways... isnt the whole idea to vent out anyways..
      .
    1. Zokunei's Avatar
      Zokunei - 2012-01-03, 09:12 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by hadzo View Post
      why did they filter it anyways... isnt the whole idea to vent out anyways..
      .
      With your genitals? Making some stranger feel bad about themself isn't exactly what I'd call venting either.

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