By Barry Eitel
SAN FRANCISCO
Facebook is building a standalone mobile app that would allow users to message each other anonymously, according to sources speaking to The New York Times on Wednesday.
The supposed app takes cues from several trendy start-ups, like Secret, where users can create posts without any identifying information. It’s also reminiscent of Snapchat, an immensely popular social media app where users can send self-destructing messages.
The proposed app would be a standalone from Facebook’s main app and its newer Messenger app, which split off Facebook Messenger from the original.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan is for the company to own the mobile experience, so device owners can use a different Facebook-created app for everything they do on their phones or tablets.
The sources, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to officially speak on the subject, say that Josh Miller, now a product manager at the company, is leading the team behind the secretive app. Miller led a startup called Branch, which builds “social products” that allow for online discussions among small groups of people.
Facebook acquired Branch in January for $15 million, and Miller jumped aboard, even though he once wrote an article accusing Zuckerberg of “effectively” bribing politicians through a lobbying group.
In response to the Times piece, Miller tweeted a series of responses about the unconfirmed project.
“Can't comment on rumors but can't wait to show you what we've built,” Miller tweeted.
He also hinted at the project’s supposed goals.
“Identity isn't a product goal,” he tweeted later. “Focus should be on what human desire you want to enable, not anonymity as the focal point.”
An anonymous app would be a shift in ideology at Facebook, which has fought several battles with varying success lately to require users to input their real identity. Facebook claimed it was building a more honest environment, but angry users believe the site merely wanted to improve its targeted advertising network.
Facebook has not commented on the speculation.
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