You really can’t argue with Apple’s decision to yank this one from the App Store.
Apple has pulled an iOS app from its App Store that encouraged users to organize secret underground parties despite social distancing measures and U.S. pandemic restrictions.
The app, which was called “Vybe Together,” billed itself as a place to organize and attend secret parties, its now-defunct website stating that users should “Get your rebel on. Get your party on.”
Users could act as organizers and approve other users who wanted to attend their event. Approved invites would receive the event’s address two hours before the event was slated to begin.
Per The Verge, the app had a few thousand users as well as thousands more who had requested access prior to Apple’s pulling it from the App Store. The app had also been promoted on TikTok before its account on the short-form video sharing platform was banned.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, indoor gatherings of people from different households as well as parties have become clear violations of pandemic restrictions. The app’s website FAQ acknowledged the danger of the pandemic, but said the app was designed to promote “small gatherings” rather than “large scale parties.” Even so, the app also promoted “gatherings every weekend” on TikTok, including New Year’s Eve parties.
The app had 25 ratings on the App Store before it was removed, and its Instagram page had under 1,000 followers. Before it was banned from the photo-sharing platform, Vybe Together’s account had a single text post which read: “Blown out of proportion by the media. We DO NOT CONDONE LARGE GATHERINGS.”
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available, and please stay safe on your end.