Yubo
Name: Yubo
Owned By: Twelve APP
Category: Social Networking
Operating System: IOS and Android
Available for download: Yes
Desktop version: No
Approximate release date: 2015 (Originally The Yellow App)
Age Rating*: Rated 17+ for the following:
- 17+Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humor
- Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity
- Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References
- Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes
Brief Description*: Welcome to the Yubo Community! We’re a social platform where you can find new friends through live streaming and authentic interactions. All based on your own interests! Sounds good? It’s about to get better.
*Information from the App Store
- Ability to live stream
Users can live stream YouTube on Yubo.
- Ability to connect with strangers
Users can join communities through the app and connect with strangers.
- App upgrades
Users can subscribe to the Yubo Power Pack.
- Can be used for online dating
Even though the app was not made for online dating, many use Yubo’s swipe function to connect with strangers nearby. Many connect through Snapchat or private messaging for relationship purposes.
- Collects user’s information
Yubo may collect usage data to track users across apps and websites owned by other companies. They also may collect additional data that could be linked to your identity, including purchases, user content, usage data, contact information, and identifiers. However, there is data that may be collected that’s not linked to your identity, including location, user content, diagnostics, contact information, and sensitive information.
- Connected to Snapchat
Users can connect their Snapchat account to invite friends to join Yubo.
- Group video chat feature
Users can group video chat with up to ten friends.
- Gaming feature
Users can play games with each other while live streaming. Some games on the app include Would You Rather, guessing games, and Q&A’s.
- Inappropriate content
The content on the app is not inappropriate; however, there have been reports of minors being asked to send nudes through private messages.
- Marketing (sponsored content)
There are advertisements within the app.
- Snapchat photo/video lenses
With Yubo’s partnership with Snapchat, users can use Snapchat lenses and share them with friends on live stream.
- Swiping feature
Similar to Tinder, users can swipe on users' profiles that are located nearby to connect with them via live stream or private message.
Reviewed By: Ryan
Here are some of the basics about Yubo. It’s a social media app where you can “easily make friends – whether it’s from your local community or across the world.” Yubo allows you to live stream YouTube and video chat with up to 10 friends. Yubo partnered with Snapchat to offer Lenses so you can use the Snapchat filters.
You can invite others to join Yubo via Snapchat and other social media platforms and “earn rewards.” You are able to use the swipe function to find others with similar interests from around the world. You can “check their Tags to figure out if they have similar interests. If yes, go live and start a conversation.” You can find a Community based upon similar likes such as art, games, music, sports, LGTBQ and dance. Yubo offers games such as To Be Honest and Would You Rather.
I jumped on Yubo with a static account (no interactions or posting) to check it out. I found many youths referencing drugs and being marijuana friendly. Some of the profile pictures and videos were of their bodies and in swimsuits and other questionable dress. Youth also state in their bios that they “don’t send nudes so don’t ask for nudes.” I can deduce from that, that people are going to Yubo to search for someone that will send them nudes.
Much like Tinder, you can view other user profiles and swipe left if you don’t want to connect and swipe right if you do. In order to see the total list of people that added you, you must purchase the Power Pack. You can subscribe to the Yubo Power Pack at three different levels: $9.99 per week, $13.99 per month or $21.00 every 3 months. Many of the user bios stated that they won’t pay for the Power Pack and then share their other social media usernames, (Snapchat, Instagram, Discord).
This would be an easy app for predators to try and connect with youth. This is an app that basically allows youth to meet strangers online. Here is a review about Yubo for more details. Here is a list of 25 other apps that are similar to Yubo. With any piece of technology, you should have a Technology Contract in place before they use it.
I would not recommend Yubo for anyone under 18 years old.