FTC bans NGL app from minors, issues $5 million fine for cyberbullying exploits

NGL has been fined $5 million and banned from serving minors by the FTC, who cited the app’s facilitation of cyberbullying and threats.
The FTC and LA District Attorney banned NGL from under-18s, fined $5 million, citing rampant cyberbullying, and required age restrictions.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office have banned the anonymous messaging app NGL from serving children under 18 due to rampant cyberbullying and threats.

The FTC’s latest action, part of a broader crackdown on companies mishandling consumer data or making exaggerated AI claims, also requires NGL to pay $5 million and implement age restrictions to prevent minors from using the app. NGL, which marketed itself as a safe space for teens, was found to have exploited its young users by sending them fake, anonymous messages designed to prey on their social anxieties.

The app then charged users for information about the senders, often providing only vague hints. The FTC lawsuit, which names NGL’s co-founders, highlights the app’s deceptive practices and its failure to protect users. However, the case against NGL is a notable example of FTC Chair Lina Khan’s focus on regulating digital data and holding companies accountable for AI-related misconduct.

The FTC’s action is part of a larger effort to protect children online, with states like New York and Florida also passing laws to limit minors’ access to social media. Regulatory push like this one aims to address the growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health.