The controversial app known as Secret is shutting down

The life of the app known as Secret has been plagued by controversy, including a nation-wide ban in Brazil. As we all know, anonymity is important, but it also opens the door to a massive amount of abuse as it allows people to say whatever they want without consequence. That’s why the founder of Secret has decided to shut down his app, claiming that it has failed to become what he intended it to.

Secret, the app that let you anonymously confess your deepest, darkest secrets (or something), is shutting down. “Unfortunately, Secret does not represent the vision I had when starting the company, so I believe it’s the right decision for myself, our investors and our team,” CEO David Byttow said in a Wednesday blog post. Byttow said Secret will also return the money that has been invested in the firm, which included a $25 million infusion of cash last summer and $8.6 million a few months earlier. “I believe in honest, open communication and creative expression, and anonymity is a great device to achieve it,” he wrote. “But it’s also the ultimate double-edged sword, which must be wielded with great respect and care. I look forward to seeing what others in this space do over time.” Secret allows people to post things anonymously (“whatever you’re thinking!” according to Secret’s FAQ page). Unfortunately, a lot of what Internet users are thinking (especially when they’re anonymous) is mean-spirited.