Yik Yak Is Back—and It Won't Allow Any Bullying GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Social Media

Yik Yak Is Back—and It Won't Allow Any Bullying

Available on the App Store

By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 17, 2021 12:21PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Social Media Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Remember Yik Yak? The once-popular messaging app announced it’s coming back four years after it shuttered. Yik Yak made its comeback announcement Tuesday on its new website. The company was bought out by new owners back in February, and their goal was to bring the app back to life, according to 9to5Mac. Yik Yak “We're bringing Yik Yak back because we believe the global community deserves a place to be authentic, a place to be equal, and a place to connect with people nearby,” Yik Yak said. “Yik Yak is a radically private network connecting you with the people around you. No strings (or labels) attached.” Yik Yak is now available to download again on iOS devices, but it isn’t available on Android devices. And it’s already reached the No. 1 spot for the social networking app category on the App Store. The company said its new priority will be combating bullying and hate speech on its platform. The updated Community Guardrails prohibit users from posting bullying messages or using hate speech, making threats, or sharing anyone's private information. Users who violate these policies even once will be immediately banned from Yik Yak. “Yik Yak is a radically private network connecting you with the people around you. No strings (or labels) attached.” Yik Yak originally became popular in 2013 thanks to its anonymous messaging boards, especially on college campuses. Ultimately, the app shut down only four years later because anonymous posters became too involved with bullying, harassment, and even violent threats such as shootings. Several schools, including St. Louis University and Utica College, even banned Yik Yak on their campuses in an effort to prevent these problems. It seems that the new owners of Yik Yak are keenly aware of the app’s past issues and are addressing them right away. But only time will tell if the messaging app can be as popular as it once was, as well as a safer space for those who use it. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 8 Best Facebook Alternatives in 2022 How to Find Your Laptop Serial Number How to Stop Sending Duplicate Text Messages on Android Free Email Accounts for Email Anonymity How to Find the MAC Address on an iPad What Are Torrents & How Do They Work? How to Unsend a Facebook Message The 8 Best Smart Glasses of 2022 How to Find The Serial Number of an HP Laptop The Pros and Cons of Social Media What Is a Virus Signature? What Does Pending Mean on Snapchat? (and How to Fix It) What Is a Hidden Network? 10 Popular and Free Instant Messaging Apps What Is a Hostname? (Host Name Definition) How to Get Verified on TikTok Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies