The Federal Trade Commission says that when NGL launched three years ago, it generated few users, prompting the company to begin sending fake messages to dupe users into thinking their friends were on the platform. (Image courtesy of FTC)
Authorities are banning the anonymous messaging platform NGL from hosting kids and teens after alleging it falsely touted that it used AI content moderation to filter out “harmful language and bullying” while doing just the opposite.
The ban is part of a first-of-its-kind settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, under which the company also agreed to pay a $5 million fine, with $4.5 million going to consumers. The pact is contingent on federal court approval.
