Instant messaging and social media has been one of the greatest hallmarks of the widespread trends in mobile technology and communication. The Sarahah messaging app tows this same path, connecting people to each other, but with a little twist to the mix – ANONYMITY.
According to the Saudi Arabian developer, Zain al-Abidin Tawfiq, the app which initially started off as a website, was originally meant to serve as a platform where employees can post anonymous feedback to their employers. The anonymity gave them a reason to be sincere (Sarahah in Arabic means ‘honest’) in their feedback, without the fear of getting fired.
The app version of Sarahah was released on June 13, 2017 for iOS and Android, and it has now become a global trend, with millions of installs and myriads of people signing up daily.
The Sarahah mobile app has a very simple and minimal interface designed to perform just the basic functions of a messaging app. On first use, after signing up, you can share your Sarahah profile link on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or other social media platform, and anyone who has the link will be able to send you messages, but you won’t be able to see the sender, you’ll only see the text, which you also cannot reply to. However, you can choose to react in one of three ways (flag, delete, favorite), or block the anonymous sender if the message offends you. The app also comes with snapchat integration.
Major concerns with the ‘anonymous’ messaging app includes issues bordering cyber bullying and online hate. The app has received a number of good accolades as well as bad reviews. In Nigeria, most youths use it for stuff like commending each other’s looks, revealing secret admirers and crushes, and even meeting new people.
I believe the app can still be used for its original intention of serving as a sort of ‘Feedback box” in offices and corporate organizations, and this time not just for employees, but for the customers also.
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Photo credit: India.com
