Apple has removed ShareChat-backed social discovery app Vibely from the App Store, citing a “clear violation” of its App Review Guidelines related to user-generated content and anonymous interactions, sources told Moneycontrol.

The move centres on Section 1.2 of Apple’s guidelines, which states, “Apps with user-generated content or services that end up being used primarily for pornographic content, Chatroullete-style experiences, random or anonymous chat, objectification of real people, making physical threats or bullying do not belong on the App Store and may be removed without notice.”

Vibely disputes Apple’s interpretation: Vibely has denied offering anonymous chat functionality. In a statement to Moneycontrol, a company spokesperson said: “Vibely is one of several exploratory products through which we test new forms of trusted social interaction — one that has never scaled beyond that phase, contributing a negligible share of our consolidated revenue.”

The spokesperson added that the company maintains “stringent content moderation standards” and is reviewing Apple’s updated policies. Sources cited by the publication said Vibely allows users to discover and connect with new people through an anonymous matching mechanism. However, users have the choice to reconnect with the same individual.

What are Vibely and ShareChat? Launched in 2024 by Mohalla Tech, the parent company of ShareChat and Moj, Vibely is a social networking app focused on connecting users through voice and video conversations with unknown people. 

ShareChat, founded in 2015, is one of India’s largest homegrown social media platforms and is backed by investors including Google, Temasek and Lightspeed. The company operates ShareChat and short-video platform Moj and is reportedly eyeing an Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the next 12-18 months. 

Why does this matter: Apple’s action reflects growing scrutiny of anonymous and random-chat platforms, which have long been linked to online abuse, grooming and exposure to explicit content. Platforms such as Omegle and Chatroulette faced years of criticism over sexual exploitation, harassment and child-safety risks before Omegle shut down in 2023 following litigation by a sexual abuse survivor. Apple recently updated its App Store rules to explicitly prohibit apps centred on random or anonymous chat. 

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