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Yahoo Testing Invite-Only Group Messaging App 'Squirrel' on iOS and Android

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Yahoo this week began testing a new messaging app on iOS and Android called "Squirrel," aimed at organizing private group chats with friends, family members, and work acquaintances. The app's main feature is that group access is private and people can only be added through invitation links (via TechCrunch).

Squirrel looks visually similar to apps like Slack and Discord, offering groups access to a "Main Room," where everyone can meet up and chat, and then there's an option to create side rooms for more specific topics. These can potentially include "Secret Rooms" for chats hidden from the main group and one-on-one threads. Users in all rooms can share photos, documents, or links in chats, as well as create custom reactions.

squirrel-yahoo-app.jpg

Users can mute rooms they don't have any interest in, and administrators can send "blasts" to all users that flag priority messages. Whenever someone mentions your name, a separate Activity view will accumulate these messages so it's easier to scroll through and get caught up with the conversation.

Yahoo originally debuted its Yahoo Messenger app on the iOS App Store [Direct Link] in April 2009, giving users the ability to instant message their contacts when away from their computer. In the years since, messaging apps like Apple's iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and others have surged in popularity and caused users to leave Yahoo's platform for ones more popular among their own friend groups. Today, Yahoo Messenger is #167 on the App Store's most-downloaded Social Networking app list.

According to Yahoo parent company Oath, one of the main reasons for Squirrel's creation is "improving group communication in everyday life."
"At Oath, we're always looking for creative ways to add value to our members' lives," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "We listen closely and frequently test new product ideas based on research and feedback. Right now we're experimenting with a new invite-only messaging app focused on improving group communication in everyday life."
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Since Squirrel is invite-only, to gain access you'll have to ask someone who already has it to send you an invite to a group. According to TechCrunch, "the ability to kick off a conversation group is also currently in invitation-only mode." The iOS app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch [Direct Link].

Article Link: Yahoo Testing Invite-Only Group Messaging App 'Squirrel' on iOS and Android
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/05/09/yahoo-testing-app-squirrel/
Not only do we not need more messaging services, but I wouldn't trust Yahoo with my private conversations anyway. They have a history of data breaches and you also have to ask yourself why they want to create this. If they're not directly monetizing it, then there's obviously an ulterior motive...
 
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If anyone cared to read the new Yahoo/Oath user agreement that will be mandatory to agree upon to continue using the service- they would run for the hills.
I suggest that anyone still clinging ignorantly and lazily to their service (if they care about their online privacy at all) to close out or suspend any Yahoo accounts and refuse to send emails to anyone with a Yahoo/AOL email address.

If people thought what Cambridge Analyitica did with FaceBook data was bad, well I can tell you (as outlined clearly in the new User Agreement) that Verizon/Oath/Yahoo is going to take that data mining to a whole new level.

Run for the hills and don't look back. Yahoo is a trap for the lazy & ignorant... and that's NOT an opinion but a fact. Nobody should be using Yahoo services.

Having an email address that ends in @yahoo.com is a global badge of shame that follows you everywhere.
Dump it.
 
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I question why they're even trying at this point. Not only because of their terrible reputation, but there are so many VERY well established chat companies that do exactly the same thing already in existence.

A terrible reputation getting into an over-saturated market. Good job, guys. (Y)
 
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Dwalls90 said:
On what planet does any company seriously believe we need another messaging platform?
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Omg right??! If you’re going to create yet another messaging platform, at least make it with a highly differentiated feature.... Something that forces people to want to use it.

What a waste of money for Yahoo lol.
 
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No thank you. This is not gonna be used in any wide scale. Verizon/Yahoo should really stop wasting there time.
 
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jsmith189 said:
I question why they're even trying at this point. Not only because of their terrible reputation, but there are so many VERY well established chat companies that do exactly the same thing already in existence.

A terrible reputation getting into an over-saturated market. Good job, guys. (Y)
Click to expand...

You hit the nail right on the head. Chat apps are way oversaturated, so why add another app into the mix? Especially when I can name 5 chat apps right off the bat that I'd rather use. Really questionable decision here from the people at Yahoo. Give it a rest for crying out loud.
 
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Misuteri said:
20 year habit for many people to quit and switch emails.
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I cringe every time I see someone using yahoo still. I don’t get keeping them as a email service anymore at all. I have no problem switching email providers at a drop of a hat.

cocky jeremy said:
An app for private conversations that had a massive breach? Ooooookay.
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You couldn’t pay me enough to use them for anything.
 
I’m in the process planning a move of my long heel much used yahoo accounts to google after all the yahoo breaches and the fact that Yahoo!s spam filter has way too many false positives and doesn’t seem to learn.

Don’t think this new app will be enough to reverse this. (Also, Verizon and it’s persistent cookies bullschit.)
 
now i see it said:
If anyone cared to read the new Yahoo/Oath user agreement that will be mandatory to agree upon to continue using the service- they would run for the hills.
I suggest that anyone still clinging ignorantly and lazily to their service (if they care about their online privacy at all) to close out or suspend any Yahoo accounts and refuse to send emails to anyone with a Yahoo/AOL email address.

If people thought what Cambridge Analyitica did with FaceBook data was bad, well I can tell you (as outlined clearly in the new User Agreement) that Verizon/Oath/Yahoo is going to take that data mining to a whole new level.

Run for the hills and don't look back. Yahoo is a trap for the lazy & ignorant... and that's NOT an opinion but a fact. Nobody should be using Yahoo services.

Having an email address that ends in @yahoo.com is a global badge of shame that follows you everywhere.
Dump it.
Click to expand...
OMG, this was created to trick all the really old people who are finally starting to get smartphones, isn't it? That's so dirty. I'll make sure my grandparents know to steer clear of this garbage. Glad I got them onto iCloud years ago and Gmail before that.

Yahoo, nobody asked for this! Nobody wants to use this! If they really wanted people to use this and be sneaky then they should stop using the Yahoo name entirely.

How long before carriers start selling personal information from our text messages to the green bubble people? Or don't tell me—it's already happening. So glad most of my friends and family use iOS.
 
jsmith189 said:
I question why they're even trying at this point. Not only because of their terrible reputation, but there are so many VERY well established chat companies that do exactly the same thing already in existence.

A terrible reputation getting into an over-saturated market. Good job, guys. (Y)
Click to expand...
Yeah, "It's just like the other ones, but Yahoo" isn't exactly a compelling proposition these days. The only way to not have a failed product is to differentiate yourself somehow and I don't see that here.
 
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The negative comments here are soft on them if anything. Yahoo! as far as I'm concerned is just that malware that kept getting installed on my grandma's computer. They're like those ****s who sell fake jewelry to old people. They're not stupid; they're malicious.

Also, from the screenshots, the UI looks like a ripoff of Discord.
 
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now i see it said:
If anyone cared to read the new Yahoo/Oath user agreement that will be mandatory to agree upon to continue using the service- they would run for the hills.
I suggest that anyone still clinging ignorantly and lazily to their service (if they care about their online privacy at all) to close out or suspend any Yahoo accounts and refuse to send emails to anyone with a Yahoo/AOL email address.
Click to expand...

New EULA privacy:
"Analyzing content and information (including emails, instant messages, posts, photos, attachments, and other communications) when you use our services. This allows us to deliver, personalize and develop relevant features, content, advertising and services"

So there analyzing are email content to use for advertising?
 
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