Vybe Together , an iPhone app that allowed users to organize secret parties that would violate social distancing rules in many cities, has been banned by Apple.
The app is currently unavailable on App Store and its website has been taken down. The Instagram says, "The App Store has taken us down!!! We'll be back!!"
“Miss playing beer pong, flirting with strangers, and generally just having a good time with friends? Vybe is here for you,” reads the text on the app’s now-defunct website. The app’s tagline reads “Create your revolution, Create your party.”.
The Verge spoke to one of the app’s co-founders, who said the app had a few thousand users, with a few thousand more on a waiting list. The co-founder also confirmed that Apple was the one who removed the app from the App Store.
The app wasn't widely known until New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz mentioned it on Twitter on Tuesday.
The app's FAQ page said it was a "compromise," designed to promote "small gatherings" rather than "large parties." However, even small gatherings can be dangerous, perhaps even illegal in some places, during the COVID-19.
The app's Instagram page still has a post that reads, "Find your vybe. Local wine nights, beer pong, and dancing in an apartment near you." The app apparently had limited reach — it had just 25 ratings on the App Store before it was taken down, and its Instagram page had 795 followers as of recently. It's a good thing Apple reacted quickly and moved to remove it from the app store.
