In a public post on X, the NCSE also thanked the tech majors for removing Wizz from their respective app libraries.
What is Wizz and why NCSE is concerned about it
Wizz is a Tinder-like app that is owned by the French parent company and mobile publisher Voodoo. The company is funded by Goldman Sachs, Tencent and GBL, among others. It allows users to set up and scroll through profiles that show a person’s photo, first name, age, state and zodiac sign.
Wizz has marketed its platform as a “safe space” to make new friends and has allowed users as young as 13 to set up accounts. On this app, users can start connecting with other users in the same “age-gated” group.
However, as child safety and technology research groups gathered more information about the popularity of the app, concerns around Wizz started rising in recent months.
As per a recent study by the Network Contagion Research Institute, the Wizz app was being used by people to find and connect with young users in “financial sextortion” scams.
The report also claims that two content creators pulled out of a Wizz-sponsored content creation house this month. The influencers gathered in this house to make TikTok videos to promote the app.
The creators who were directly involved in the project reportedly cited concerns raised by child safety advocates about Wizz and sextortion.
What Apple and Google has to say about removing the app
Responding to the centre, an Apple representative sent an email that said: “We take App Store violations seriously and appreciate your outreach. The app has been removed from the Store and we are in touch with the developer.”
A Google spokesperson also said that the Wizz app has been suspended from Google Play, the online store for Android apps. The spokesperson cited the company’s child endangerment policy that requires apps to “prohibit users from creating, uploading or distributing content that facilitates the exploitation or abuse of children.”
What Wizz said after getting removed from app stores
In an emailed statement, a Wizz spokesperson said: “Apple and Google are seeking more information on our app, and we are working closely with their teams to clarify our platform’s extensive safeguards for users. We hope to resolve this matter soon.”
A Wizz spokesperson said that its recent house event in Miami was “a success” and showed “how our app helps create meaningful relationships between young people.”
“All of the influencers who spent the week with us say they are excited to participate in Wizz House 2, and others have reached out saying they want to join,” the spokesperson added.
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