Everything You Need To Know About Sarahah App And All The Fuss Surrounding It.
Just admit that we all wanted to send that message to your crush as how much you like them and to the boss how much you hate them, but can’t, duh for obvious reasons. But here’s a way you can send your crush a message and the boss as how much you hate their working style and that too without you being named at all, anywhere. Thanks to the Sarahah app.
Sarahah app, created by Saudi developer Zain Alabdin Tawfiq, has gone viral and allows anonymous messaging. But with power comes responsibility, the risk is that people will quickly start sending hateful texts to their friends, acquaintances and that’s already happening with Sarahah.
The app went viral like a wildfire and topped the Apple App Store in over 30 countries in July. The popularity of the app can be imagined that people start to link their Sarahah profile to their Snapchat Stories.
So what is this viral messaging app all about? We answer everything you need to know.
What is Sarahah app?
“Sarahah helps people self-develop by receiving constructive anonymous feedback,” reads the app’s description on Google Play Store. Interestingly, Sarahah means ‘honesty’ in Arabic, though this honesty is delivered anonymously. The app is available in English as well as Arabic for iOS and Android users.
So how does the app functions?
After you install the app in your smartphone, you will be prompted to set-up an account. To do that, simply enter the username you want for your Sarahah profile then enter your name, email, and choose a password. This app doesn’t require your mobile number, which makes sense of it being anonymous.
Once your account is ready, share your Sarahah link on the social media you use. This will let people know you are using the app. Anyone who has the link will be able to send you messages. This could be friends, even strangers who are on the app or those who are not even on the app.
Sarahah is just like every other app in the store? What else does it offer?
No, this is not a regular messaging app, and other than sending random anonymous messages to people it doesn’t offer much. The tabs on the app are limited to Messages, Search, Explore and Profile. All received favourite and sent messages will appear in ‘Messages’ tab. You also can favourite or block the user or even report it.
The ‘Favorite’ tab shows messages where you have tapped the heart symbol. Sent shows all the ‘constructive’ criticism you have been sending on the app. Meanwhile ‘Search’ tab lets you search for people to send them anonymous messages. Next up, there’s an ‘Explore’ tab which isn’t live yet. “SOON. This feature will be available next update, be alert!” reads the page. We’re not sure what the developers plan to do with this.
Finally, the ‘Profile’ page lets you manage your profile. It shows a user’s profile picture along with Sarahah username, and a number of messages received.
I am scared of my privacy. What does the app offer about it?
Neither of the apps are secure, and so does Sarahah. Though you can report a message, block the user but what happens to those who sent the abusive messages is still unclear.
If you still want to be on the safer side, you can disable the option to ‘Appear in Search.’ Another option that gives you the power is to restrict the people sending you messages only to those who are on the platform.
As of now, the app doesn’t allow the option to delete, or deactivate, the account. For that, you have to log in to the website version of the app, hover over to settings to remove accounts.
Where Sarahah’s privacy policy goes, the company says they won’t disclose the identity of the logged-in senders to users, except with their consent. So yes, if someone starts sending hateful messages or threats on the app, there’s no way of knowing their identity.
Should I be using Sarahah app after all this hype?
The app is fun, given the fact that this app is anonymous and there’s no way to find out who the person have sent the message to let friends or colleagues know their irritating public habits.
Sarahah might remind some of the apps like Secret, Whisper. The truth is that receiving rude messages will be a harrowing experience for most. While the app talks about giving ‘constructive feedback,’ remember even anonymous messages have the power to hurt.