**Anonymous Messaging App NGL Acquired by Mode Mobile, Maker of "EarnPhone" Smartphone**

Just as the anonymous messaging app NGL was finally facing some consequences for its shady growth hacking tactics and alleged role in promoting bullying among teens, it has been acquired by Mode Mobile, a smartphone rewards company that makes money by flooding its users with ads.

NGL quickly gained popularity after its launch in late 2021, joining a group of similar apps popular among teens that allowed users to send and receive anonymous questions and messages. However, the app was embroiled in controversy for most of its existence, including allegations of promoting bullying and using deceptive tactics to get users to pay for premium features.

One of the most egregious examples of NGL's questionable practices involved sending fake messages to users that seemed like they were from real people but were actually automated by the app. Some users were tricked into paying a $9.99 monthly subscription to get hints about who sent the messages, which were fake.

After a two-year investigation, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced in 2024 that it would ban NGL from offering its app to minors – one of its most drastic interventions to protect minors from harmful social media experiences. NGL paid a $5 million fine to the FTC and complied with its demands.

Now, NGL's two founders, Raj Vir and João Figueiredo, are moving on from the app, according to Business Insider. The remaining three employees of the app will work for Mode Mobile.

This partnership seems like a good match given NGL's track record of dubious growth hacking. Mode Mobile makes a smartphone called the "EarnPhone" that has "built-in earning features." The company claims that users can make money by performing everyday tasks on their phone, like listening to music, playing games, and browsing the web.

According to Mode Mobile's investor materials, the company generates revenue from "digital advertising partners" that "pay for user attention and engagement." In other words, your phone is constantly flooded with ads, but you might make enough money to buy a round of beers at a dive bar. The terms of the sale were not disclosed.

This acquisition raises important questions about the future of social media regulation and the impact that platforms like NGL have on young people's mental health and well-being.