Apple pulls out from the App Store an iOS app that promotes the holding of 'secret parties' amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apple removed an app called Vybe Together from its App Store. Reports indicate that the iOS app promotes the holding of 'secret parties' during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal regulations discourage, and in some cases prohibit, the holding of parties and large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic ushered in a new normal that includes the strict observation of health protocols to curb the spread of the virus. Among the prohibitions imposed by health agencies include gatherings and parties. There are some, however, who regarded these prohibitions as overkill and go on holding parties and other forms of gathering. Worst, some apps help them achieve these undertakings.
One of such apps is Vybe Together, which users download from Apple's App Store. It encourages uses to 'get your rebel on' and hold 'secret parties' amid the prohibitions imposed during the pandemic. Recently, Apple removed the iOS app from its App Store for promoting the holding of gatherings perceived as health protocol violations under present US COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Reports also indicate that Tiktok banned the account of Vybe Together and scrubbed much of its presence on the platform. The video-sharing platform did not specify the reason for the banning but rumors say Tiktok shared the same reasons as Apple's on why the Cupertino tech giant removed the iOS app from its App Store.
Vybe Together also promoted on the video-sharing platform the holding of 'secret parties,' and even used on TikTok and its website the tagline 'Get your rebel on. Get your party on.' Organizers need to approve anyone who wanted to attend the underground party and those approved receive information about the location of the 'secret party' two hours before the event.
Some terrible people built a whole app for finding and promoting COVID-unsafe large, indoor house parties and they’re using TikTok to market it to millions of ppl. pic.twitter.com/zYhBiFH4vR — Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) December 29, 2020
Since most of the gatherings are illegal under present COVID-19 restrictions, Vybe Together first requires users to submit their profiles for approval before allowing them on board. Online news outfit The Verve called Vybe Together's phone number and interviewed someone who identified himself as Albin, a co-founder of the app.
Albin revealed that the iOS app currently has several thousand members and thousands more are requesting access since they started posting videos on TikTok. When news about the existence and purpose of the iOS app about promoting the holding of 'secret parties' amid the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Apple pulled out Vybe Together from the App Store.
It was unclear how the Cupertino tech giant learned about the real purpose of Vybe Together, or whether Apple already knew beforehand the iOS app's goal of promoting the holding of 'secret parties' during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Albin, their application and approval process are stringent, which include requiring users to submit their Instagram handle and upload photos of them partying to the service, to ensure Vybe Together only approves those who will not reveal anything about the events. Despite these precautions, Apple still found out about the iOS app and subsequently pulled it out from its App Store for promoting the holding of 'secret parties' amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
