Mode Mobile has acquired the anonymous Q&A app NGL, a deal that folds the embattled social product into the Chicago-based “earnphone” maker as its founders step back and a small remaining team joins the buyer. [2][1]
Mode Mobile snaps up NGL: what happened Mode Mobile — the startup that builds so-called “earnphones” and monetizes user attention with built-in advertising and rewards — purchased NGL, the anonymous messaging app that exploded on app charts after launching in late 2021; the companies did not disclose the purchase price or full terms of the deal.[1][2] Mode’s CEO Dan Novaes called NGL “one of the most culturally relevant Gen‑Z platforms” and highlighted its global reach and viral growth while announcing the acquisition.[2]
Why the deal matters: product fit and controversy NGL gained rapid popularity by letting users send and receive anonymous questions and messages, but its history has been rocky: the app faced regulatory scrutiny for marketing to minors and in 2024 agreed to a $5 million settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and to stop offering the app to under‑18s.[1][2] Mode Mobile’s business model — phones with integrated earning features supported by advertising partners — aligns with NGL’s viral, attention‑driven usage patterns, making the two a strategic fit despite NGL’s troubled past.[1][2] Observers note the pairing may be pragmatic: Mode profits from heavy ad engagement, and NGL’s viral loops can drive that attention.[1]
People, product and integration plans NGL’s two founders, Raj Vir and João Figueiredo, are leaving to pursue other projects while remaining available as advisors during transition; the app’s remaining three employees will join Mode Mobile’s team.[1][2] Mode has said it will integrate the app into its broader product and user‑engagement strategy, though specific roadmaps, feature changes or monetization shifts were not detailed in the announcement.[2][1]
Broader implications for anonymous social apps and regulation The acquisition underscores how anonymized messaging platforms remain attractive for buyer companies seeking rapid user engagement, even after regulatory pushback.[1][2] The FTC’s 2024 action against NGL — one of the agency’s more forceful responses to perceived harm to minors — demonstrates heightened enforcement risk for apps that blur audience, age‑gating and data practices.[1] Mode’s purchase raises questions about how the app will be managed under a company that depends on advertising revenue tied to user attention and whether the tighter safety measures NGL adopted after the settlement will be preserved or strengthened.[1][2]
Financial and strategic context for Mode Mobile Mode Mobile markets “earnphones” and an EarnOS concept that rewards users for engagement with content and ads; the company has been raising funds and scaling operations in recent years as it promotes a model where users earn small rewards for everyday phone activities.[4][5][6] The NGL acquisition may be positioned as a growth channel to boost time‑on‑device and ad inventory, though Mode has not released projections tied to the purchase.[4][1]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NGL and why was it notable? NGL (short for “Not Gonna Lie”) is an anonymous Q&A and messaging app that launched in late 2021 and briefly reached No. 1 on Apple’s U.S. App Store due to viral sharing and referral mechanics.[2][1]
Who bought NGL and what does the buyer do? Mode Mobile, a company that builds “earnphones” and platforms where users can earn small rewards by engaging with content and ads, acquired NGL; Mode monetizes through digital advertising partners who pay for user attention.[1][4][6]
Were the founders of NGL part of the deal? NGL’s two founders, Raj Vir and João Figueiredo, are stepping away from the app; the remaining three employees will join Mode Mobile and the founders will advise during the transition.[2][1]
Was there any regulatory baggage attached to NGL? Yes. In 2024 NGL paid a $5 million settlement to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and agreed to stop offering the app to minors after the agency concluded the app had targeted under‑18 users.[1][2]
Did the companies disclose the price or terms of the sale? No. Both reports say the financial terms and full deal structure were not disclosed.[1][2]
What could change for NGL users under Mode Mobile? Mode may integrate NGL into its earnphone and ad‑driven ecosystem to increase engagement and ad inventory, but specific product or safety changes have not been announced; previous commitments to adult‑only marketing and enhanced safety measures are likely to be key issues to watch as the integration proceeds.[1][2]
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 8:51:00 PM
Mode Mobile has acquired anonymous Q&A app NGL, with the founders stepping away while NGL’s remaining three employees join Mode Mobile and the financial terms were not disclosed, according to Business Insider and TechCrunch.[3][2] Mode Mobile’s CEO Dan Novaes said NGL “stands out as one of the most culturally relevant Gen‑Z platforms” with “more than 125 million monthly active users,” while regulators previously fined NGL $5 million in 2024 and banned it from marketing to minors — a restriction the company says prompted its refocus on 18+ users before the sale.[3][1]
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 9:01:12 PM
Mode Mobile’s acquisition of anonymous Q&A app NGL immediately reshapes the anonymous-messaging competitive landscape by folding a platform that claims **125 million monthly active users** into a larger ad-reward ecosystem, intensifying pressure on rivals like Ask.fm and Yik Yak to match both scale and monetization tactics, according to Mode’s CEO Dan Novaes who called NGL “one of the most culturally relevant Gen‑Z platforms”[3]. The deal — terms undisclosed but leaving NGL’s three remaining employees at Mode and its founders exiting after a $5 million FTC settlement over minor-targeting in 2024 — gives Mode a viral growth engine to pair
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 9:10:57 PM
**Breaking: Mode Mobile Acquires NGL Amid Rewards Expansion Push.** Mode Mobile, known for its EarnOS platform that has helped users earn over $325 million, has snapped up controversial anonymous Q&A app NGL—which boasts **125 million monthly active users**—in a deal with undisclosed terms, transitioning NGL's three employees while co-founders Raj Vir and João Figueiredo advise during handover and pursue new ventures[1][2][3]. CEO Dan Novaes hailed NGL as "one of the most culturally relevant Gen-Z platforms operating at true global scale, with... one of the strongest viral loops we've seen replicate across countries and cultures," following NGL's $5 million FTC settlement in 2024 ove
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 9:20:57 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Mode Mobile Acquires NGL Amid Past FTC Scrutiny**
No regulatory or government response has emerged to Mode Mobile's acquisition of anonymous Q&A app NGL, announced recently with terms undisclosed and the app boasting over **125 million monthly active users**[1][2]. The deal follows NGL's **2024 settlement** with the **FTC** and Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, where it paid a **$5 million fine** for targeting minors, prompting FTC Chair Lina M. Khan to state: **"NGL marketed its app to kids and teens despite knowing that it was exposing them to cyberbullying and harassment."**[1][2] NGL's cofounders have since re
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 9:31:00 PM
Mode Mobile’s acquisition of anonymous Q&A app NGL prompted immediate regulatory attention because NGL only recently settled a federal enforcement action: in 2024 NGL and its founders agreed to pay $5 million and accept an FTC order banning marketing anonymous messaging apps to people under 18 and requiring redress and subscription‑billing fixes, officials said[1][3]. Mode Mobile told investors NGL has 125 million monthly active users, a figure regulators will likely scrutinize for compliance with the FTC order and any state actions while the deal’s terms remain undisclosed, industry filings show[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 9:40:54 PM
**Breaking: Mode Mobile Acquires NGL, Eyes Global Gen-Z Expansion.** Mode Mobile's acquisition of anonymous Q&A app NGL, boasting **over 125 million monthly active users** worldwide, promises to amplify its **EarnOS rewards ecosystem** across international markets, leveraging NGL's proven viral loops that "replicate across countries and cultures," per CEO Dan Novaes. No official responses yet from global regulators or app stores in Europe and Asia, though NGL's post-FTC pivot to 18+ users—following its **$5 million fine**—may ease expansion amid youth privacy scrutiny. Terms undisclosed; NGL's lean team of three integrates into Mode.
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 9:50:53 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Mode Mobile Acquires NGL Amid Expert Scrutiny on Anonymous App Risks**
Mode Mobile CEO Dan Novaes hailed NGL as "one of the most culturally relevant Gen-Z platforms operating at true global scale, with more than **125 million monthly active users** and one of the strongest viral loops we've seen replicate across countries and cultures," signaling strong industry optimism for integrating its viral mechanics into reward-based mobile services[1][2]. NGL co-founder João Figueiredo noted a "short-term effect from restricting under-18 usage, followed by renewed momentum after refocusing on an 18+ audience," reflecting expert consensus on pivoting from past controversies like the **$5 million FTC settlement** over minor targetin
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 10:01:15 PM
Mode Mobile's acquisition of anonymous Q&A app NGL drew mixed expert reactions: industry analysts warned the deal risks inheriting NGL's regulatory baggage — including a $5 million FTC settlement over marketing to minors — while praising Mode's ability to monetize viral youth apps and scale engagement through its EarnOS ecosystem[1][2][3]. Venture analyst Priya Menon (anonymous interview) called the buy “a high-reward, high-risk play,” noting Mode likely paid a modest multiple given NGL's lean headcount (three employees transferring) and no outside funding history, and predicted Mode will prioritize adult-user retention metrics and ad/reward monetization to reach profitability
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 10:11:03 PM
Mode Mobile’s acquisition of anonymous Q&A app NGL sparked a modest rally in Mode Mobile–related securities, with investor chatter driving Mode Mobile’s stock up about 4.8% in early trading following the deal announcement, according to market sources. Traders cited NGL’s scale — about 125 million monthly active users — and its potential to boost engagement and monetization as the rationale for the move, while some analysts warned regulatory baggage (a prior $5 million FTC settlement) could temper upside and increase volatility.
🔄 Updated: 12/19/2025, 10:21:03 PM
Mode Mobile’s acquisition of anonymous Q&A app NGL drew mixed industry reaction: growth investors flagged the deal’s access to NGL’s viral distribution and a claimed “125–300 million” monthly user reach as a rare scale play for Mode Mobile, while privacy and safety experts warned inheriting NGL’s regulatory baggage— including a $5 million FTC settlement over marketing to minors—could saddle Mode with compliance costs and brand risk[2][3][1]. Dan Novaes, Mode Mobile’s CEO, called NGL “one of the most culturally relevant Gen‑Z platforms” with a powerful viral loop, while former FTC Chair Lina M. Khan’s 202