Yik Yak, Inc.

San Francisco, USA

Yik Yak is an anonymous social media platform that allows users to post and view location-based messages. The app gained popularity for fostering local and campus communities with real-time, ephemeral discussions and interactions.

CCI Score

-28.77

0.02% April 18

Latest Event

Yik Yak hate campaigns and executive involvement stir controversy

The article details how Yik Yak's anonymous social media platform has been exploited during a student association election to spread hate campaigns and controversial political endorsements, ultimately fueling divisive and extreme rhetoric.

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ACCOMPLICE

Yik Yak, Inc. is currently rated as an Accomplice.

-20 to -29 CCI Score

These companies profit from authoritarian practices through their business dealings. Although they may not be directly enforcing oppressive policies, their actions contribute to the economic and operational sustenance of authoritarian regimes.

Latest Events

FEB

25

2025

Yik Yak hate campaigns and executive involvement stir controversy
-43.91

The article details how Yik Yak's anonymous social media platform has been exploited during a student association election to spread hate campaigns and controversial political endorsements, ultimately fueling divisive and extreme rhetoric.
-40

Public and Political Behavior

March 23

The article highlights that Yik Yak's platform has been a conduit for hate campaigns during politically significant student elections. This use of the platform contributes to an atmosphere of hostility and extremism, undermining democratic processes and reflecting poor public and political behavior.

Yik Yak hate campaigns and executive involvement stir controversy within SA election
-50

Technology and Services Impact

March 23

Yik Yak's technology serves as a medium for uncontrolled propagation of hate speech and inflammatory content. The platform's design, which facilitates anonymous posting and local dissemination of messages, has been exploited to spread extremist narratives, thus negatively impacting the sphere of technology and services.

Yik Yak hate campaigns and executive involvement stir controversy within SA election
NOV

12

2015

Yik Yak Shares User Data with Police
-13.62

Yik Yak, an anonymous social media platform, has been reported to share users' IP addresses, GPS data, and device details with law enforcement agencies upon request. This practice, while legally compliant, raises concerns about user privacy and may enable increased surveillance, potentially supporting repressive state actions in contexts of political dissent and marginalization.
-20

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 23

Under business practices and ethical responsibility, Yik Yak's policy of disclosing sensitive user information to law enforcement — including IP addresses and GPS data — raises ethical concerns about privacy and user protection. Although the company requires legal instruments such as subpoenas or court orders in most cases, its provision for emergency disclosures may facilitate state surveillance and contribute to a culture of repression, which is concerning from an anti-fascist perspective.

Yik Yak, "anonymous" social media app, shares info with police
-50

Technology and Services Impact

March 23

Regarding technology and services impact, Yik Yak’s implementation of data collection mechanisms that allow for the rapid disclosure of user location and device information to police aligns with providing infrastructures that may be exploited for repressive purposes. This system, even if legally mandated during emergencies, can dampen free speech and foster an environment of surveillance, which is especially problematic in contexts where state power may be abused.

Yik Yak, "anonymous" social media app, shares info with police