Sidechat

Sidechat is an anonymous social media application designed for college students, accessible via an iOS app. Launched in early 2022 by Flower Ave Inc., the platform requires a valid university email address for access, creating closed, school-specific communities where users can post, comment, and message anonymously. The company was co-founded by Sebastian Gil, a former Snap engineer who serves as CEO. Gil was one of the early employees at Snap, where he was involved in developing features like Stories and Chat.

The platform's business model centers on network effects, growing its user base through targeted marketing efforts on university campuses. These strategies have included hiring student ambassadors, offering cash incentives for downloads, and paying student organizations to promote the app. In 2023, Sidechat's parent company, Flower Avenue Inc., acquired Yik Yak, a similar anonymous messaging app, integrating its user base. This move followed a funding round in the summer of 2022 where Flower Avenue raised over $10 million. The app operates in a competitive market, facing a lawsuit from rival app Fizz for alleged unfair competition practices.

Sidechat functions similarly to Reddit, with features like upvoting and downvoting, direct messaging, and a "karma" point system. It is designed to allow students to share memes, jokes, and candid thoughts about campus life. However, the platform's anonymity has led to significant controversy. University administrations and lawmakers have raised concerns about its role in facilitating bullying, harassment, and the spread of hate speech, with Columbia University's president labeling the app "poisonous". The app has also been used by students to organize and share real-time information during campus protests. In response to criticism, the company states it employs a team of moderators to review content that violates its terms of use.

Keywords: anonymous social media, college campus app, student social network, hyperlocal social media, Flower Ave Inc, Sebastian Gil, Yik Yak acquisition, campus communication, student messaging, anonymous chat, university community, karma points, content moderation, iOS application, Fizz lawsuit