Koo (social network) explained

Koo
Company Type:Private
Website Type:
Native Clients:iOS, Android, Web
Language:Multilingual
Location:Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Launched:2020
Country Of Origin:India
Area Served:Worldwide
Owner:Koo Corporation Pvt Ltd
Founder:
  • Aprameya Radhakrishna
  • Mayank Bidawatka
Key People:Aprameya Radhakrishna (CEO)
Industry:
Num Employees:200 (September 2021)[1]
Advertising:Yes
Commercial:Yes
Registration:Optional
Num Users:60 million (November 2022)
Current Status:Defunct

Koo was an Indian microblogging and social networking service, owned by Bangalore-based Bombinate Technologies.[2] [3] [4] It was co-founded by entrepreneurs Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka.[5] The app was launched in early 2020; it won the government's Atmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge which selected the best apps from some 7,000 entries across the country.[6]

As of November 2022, the company was valued at over $275 million.[7] Investors in Bombinate Technologies include Tiger Global Management, Blume Ventures, Kalaari Capital and Accel, and former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai's 3one4 Capital.[8]

On 3 July 2024, the founders announced their decision to shut down the platform.

History

Initial growth

According to statistics provided by analytics provider Sensor Tower, Koo saw 2.6 million installs from Indian app stores in 2020, compared to 2.8 crore (28 million) installs observed for Twitter. From 6 to 11 February, the installations of Koo increased rapidly. The app increased in popularity after a weeklong standoff between Twitter and the Government of India over Twitter's refusal to block accounts during the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest.[9] [10] The government demanded that Twitter block the accounts of hundreds of activists, journalists, and politicians, accusing them of spreading misinformation. Twitter complied with a majority of the orders, but refused some, citing freedom of expression. Following this standoff, many Cabinet Ministers such as Piyush Goyal, various government officials & supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party moved to Koo and urged their supporters to follow. This led to a surge in Koo's user base. In April 2021, Ravi Shankar Prasad became the first minister with 2.5 million followers on Koo.[11]

Koo in Nigeria

Koo was the go-to alternative to Twitter in Nigeria after the country indefinitely banned Twitter for deleting a tweet by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.[12] The tweet had threatened a crackdown on regional separatists "in the language they understand". Twitter claimed the post was in violation of Twitter rules, but gave no further details. Twitter was officially banned in Nigeria on 5 June 2021. The Government of Nigeria created their official Koo account five days later on 10 June.[13] In 2022, it was reported that Nigerian government officials had stopped using Koo after the ban on Twitter was lifted.[14]

Koo in Brazil

After crises involving the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, Koo became an attractive social network for Brazilian users.[15] According to one of the founders, Aprameya Radhakrishna, until 16 November, only two thousand Brazilian users used Koo, which placed Brazil in position 75 on the list of countries with the most lifetime unique users. On the 18th alone, more than a million Brazilians registered on the social network, which placed Brazil in second place on the list.[16] The app featured at number 1 in the Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store in Brazil. Soon Portuguese support was added in the App.[17] Koo received so many submissions and comments that the site became unstable. Personalities such as Felipe Neto, Casimiro, Bruno Gagliasso and Pocah created their accounts on the social network. The name "Koo", which has the same pronunciation as "cu", a vulgar term for the anus in Portuguese language, drew attention of users.[18] Koo held a poll on Twitter asking Brazilians if the name of the social network should be changed, which was rejected. Koo reached the Top 3 of Twitter's trending topics in Brazil.[19]

Funding

As of May 2021, Koo investors include Accel, Kalaari Capital,[20] Blume Ventures, Dream Incubator, 3one4 Capital, Blume Ventures, IIFL, and Mirae Asset. On 26 May 2021, Koo raised $30 million (about ₹218 crore) in Series B funding, led by Tiger Global Management.[21] [22] [23] After raising $30 million from Tiger Global Management, Koo's valuation increased, reaching over $100 million, up from about $25 million in February.[24] Shunwei Capital sold its whole stake in Koo by March 2021.[25] On 25 November 2022, Koo further raised $6 million in a funding round led Accel Partners and Tiger Global.[26] [27]

Interface and features

Logo

Koo's logo is a yellow bird. The design of the bird was streamlined on 14 May 2021.[28]

User experience

Koo's interface is similar to that of Twitter, allowing users to categorize their posts with hashtags and tag other users in mentions or replies. Koo uses a yellow and white interface.[29] [30]

On 4 May 2021, Koo introduced a new feature called "Talk to Type" which allows its users to create a post with the app's voice assistant.[31]

Koo marks verified accounts with a yellow-coloured tick.[32] [33]

On 14 March 2023, the company integrated ChatGPT in Koo so that users can use it to create content and posts.[34] [35]

Languages

Koo was first launched in Kannada[36] and supports Hindi, English, Portuguese, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese,[37] Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Hausa, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Thai, Vietnamese, Turkish, Korean.[38] [39]

Security incidents

In February 2021, a cybersecurity expert showed a data breach on the app, but the company rejected the claim.[40]

On 19 November 2022, an update caused a vulnerability allowing profiles to be hacked. KooForBrasil's Twitter profile admitted the failure and apologized saying that there had never been an invasion before.[41]

Reception

Crisis and closure

In April 2024, it was reported that Koo faced difficulties paying employee salaries for April, and that future salaries could only be paid when a potential sale of Koo completed.[45] [46]

On 3 July 2024, the founders announced their decision to shut the platform down due to an unpredictable market, failed partnerships and the high cost of technology services involved. They hinted at a possibility of selling some of the company assets, and that they would stop operations immediately.[47] [48]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 12 September 2021 . Koo to raise headcount to 500 in next 1 year . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210927101859/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/koo-to-raise-headcount-to-500-in-next-1-year/article36411947.ece . 27 September 2021 . 15 February 2022 . Business Line . Press Trust of India.
  2. News: 9 May 2021 . Will double headcount; lot of headroom for growing user base: Koo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509070521/https://www.thehindu.com/business/will-double-headcount-says-koo/article34519400.ece . 9 May 2021 . 27 May 2021 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . Press Trust of India.
  3. News: 12 February 2021 . Indian entrepreneurs back Koo app as Chinese investor exits . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212084419/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/indian-entrepreneurs-back-koo-app-even-as-chinese-investor-exits/articleshow/80851086.cms . 12 February 2021 . 12 February 2021 . The Economic Times.
  4. News: Pratap . Ketan . 10 February 2021 . Desi microblogging platform Koo will have to cover a lot of ground to be Twitter alternative . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210212055/https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/talking-points/story/desi-microblogging-platform-koo-will-have-to-cover-a-lot-of-ground-to-be-twitter-alternative-1767717-2021-02-10 . 10 February 2021 . 5 March 2021.
  5. News: Malhotra. Vanshika. 7 August 2020. Koo app: India's Twitter alternative will help you express views in your local language. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210020703/https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/apps-indian-app-koo-is-twitter-s-alternative-what-is-it-how-to-download-on-android-ios-and-more-640268. 10 February 2021. 15 February 2021. India TV News. en.
  6. News: 31 August 2020 . Chingari, YourQuote and Koo are the winners of the Aatmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210422163901/https://www.indulgexpress.com/gadgets/2020/aug/31/chingari-yourquote-and-koo-are-the-winners-of-the-aatmanirbhar-app-innovation-challenge-27791.html . 22 April 2021 . 15 February 2021 . Indulge Express . en . Indo-Asian News Service.
  7. Web site: Ashrafi . Md Salman . 23 November 2022 . Exclusive: Koo raises over $6 Mn led by Tiger Global . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221125064316/https://entrackr.com/2022/11/exclusive-koo-raises-over-6-mn-led-by-tiger-global/ . 25 November 2022 . 25 November 2022 . Entrackr . en-US.
  8. News: 26 May 2021 . Twitter under fire, Koo announces $30 million fundraise: why it's significant . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221124122108/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/koo-app-fundraise-tiger-global-twitter-social-media-it-rules-7330989/ . 24 November 2022 . 17 March 2023 . The Indian Express . en.
  9. News: Rai . Saritha . 17 February 2021 . Twitter's clash with India government gives boost to local rival . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210217104953/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/02/17/business/koo-india-twitter/ . 17 February 2021 . 17 February 2021 . The Japan Times.
  10. Perrigo . Billy . 11 November 2022 . Elon Musk Has Inherited Twitter's India Problem . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221113202459/https://time.com/6230338/twitter-india-elon-musk-free-speech/ . 13 November 2022 . 14 November 2022 . Time . en.
  11. Web site: 9 April 2021 . Ravi Shankar Prasad becomes first minister with 10 lakh followers on domestic Twitter "Koo" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409112509/https://gadgets.techly360.com/ravi-shankar-prasad-becomes-first-minister-with-10-lakh-followers-on-koo/ . 9 April 2021 . 9 April 2021 . Gadgets Techly360.
  12. News: Mukul . Pranav . 14 June 2021 . Explained: Nigerian govt joins Koo; what this means for Twitter's India-made rival . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204543/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nigeria-twitter-ban-koo-app-7352292/ . 24 June 2021 . 23 June 2021 . The Indian Express.
  13. News: Alawadhi . Neha . 10 June 2021 . Koo expands its wings, govt of Nigeria joins microblogging platform . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210619222434/https://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/koo-expands-its-wings-govt-of-nigeria-joins-microblogging-platform-121061001199_1.html . 19 June 2021 . 23 June 2021 . Business Standard.
  14. News: Akintaro . Samson . 12 July 2022 . One year after, Indian app, Koo, fails to gain traction in Nigeria as FG abandons platform . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317074752/https://nairametrics.com/2022/07/12/one-year-after-indian-app-koo-fails-to-gain-traction-in-nigeria-as-fg-abandons-platform/ . 17 March 2023 . 17 March 2023 . Nairametrics.
  15. Web site: Barros . Matheus . 18 November 2022 . As pessoas estão trocando o Twitter pelo Koo; entenda . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221119081626/https://olhardigital.com.br/2022/11/18/internet-e-redes-sociais/as-pessoas-estao-trocando-o-twitter-pelo-koo-entenda/ . 19 November 2022 . 21 November 2022 . Olhar Digital . pt-BR.
  16. Web site: 19 November 2022 . Entrevista: fundador do Koo conta como notou brasileiros e fala dos rumos do app . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221120234720/https://extra.globo.com/economia-e-financas/entrevista-fundador-do-koo-conta-como-notou-brasileiros-fala-dos-rumos-do-app-25611532.html . 20 November 2022 . 21 November 2022 . Extra Online . pt-BR.
  17. Web site: 22 November 2022 . Indian Twitter alternative Koo app launched in Brazil, garners 1 million downloads already . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221122040349/https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/twitters-indian-alternative-koo-garners-1-million-downloads-in-brazil-days-after-launch-2300176-2022-11-22 . 22 November 2022 . 22 November 2022 . India Today . en.
  18. Web site: Ormerod . Alex González . 21 November 2022 . Twitter drama has Brazilians flocking to Indian platform Koo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221123064109/https://restofworld.org/2022/twitter-brazil-koo/ . 23 November 2022 . 23 November 2022 . . English.
  19. Web site: Oliveira . Tainane . 18 November 2022 . Conheça o Koo! Rede social indiana viraliza entre os famosos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221121191913/https://portalpopline.com.br/conheca-o-koo-rede-social-indiana-viraliza-entre-os-famosos/ . 21 November 2022 . 21 November 2022 . POPline . pt-BR.
  20. News: 11 February 2021 . Koo Has A Chinese Investor Who Is Exiting, Says Founder Aprameya Radhakrishna . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212172254/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/koo-has-a-chinese-investor-who-is-exiting-says-founder-aprameya-radhakrishna-6488541.html . 12 February 2021 . 15 February 2021 . Moneycontrol.
  21. News: 26 May 2021 . Koo raises $30mn funding led by Tiger Global . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210527112535/https://www.thehindu.com/business/koo-raises-30mn-funding-led-by-tiger-global/article34647225.ece . 27 May 2021 . 27 May 2021 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . Press Trust of India.
  22. Web site: 26 May 2021 . Twitter under fire, Koo announces $30 million fundraise: why it's significant . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210527112534/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/koo-app-fundraise-tiger-global-twitter-social-media-it-rules-7330989/ . 27 May 2021 . 27 May 2021 . The Indian Express . en.
  23. Web site: 27 May 2021 . Koo raises $30 million funding led by Tiger Global . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210527112535/https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/koo-raises-30-million-funding-led-by-tiger-global-1807626-2021-05-27 . 27 May 2021 . 27 May 2021 . India Today . en.
  24. Web site: Singh . Manish . 26 May 2021 . Tiger Global leads $30 million investment in Indian Twitter rival Koo . 2 June 2021 . TechCrunch.
  25. News: Mishra . Digbijay . 18 March 2021 . Koo's Chinese investor sells entire stake . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414114940/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/chinese-investor-shunwei-leaves-koo/articleshow/81554716.cms . 14 April 2021 . 14 April 2021 . The Times of India.
  26. Web site: Koo fetches $6 million as a part ongoing round . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221222075700/https://www.vccircle.com/koofetches-6-million-as-a-part-ongoing-round . 22 December 2022 . 22 December 2022 . VCCircle . en-US.
  27. Web site: Ashrafi . Md Salman . 23 November 2022 . Exclusive: Koo raises over $6 Mn led by Tiger Global . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221125064316/https://entrackr.com/2022/11/exclusive-koo-raises-over-6-mn-led-by-tiger-global/ . 25 November 2022 . 22 December 2022 . Entrackr . en-US.
  28. Web site: Ajmal . Anam . 13 May 2021 . Koo App: Homegrown social media app Koo launches new logo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210516072038/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/homegrown-social-media-app-koo-launches-new-logo/articleshow/82600617.cms . 16 May 2021 . 16 May 2021 . The Times of India . TNN.
  29. News: Singh . Saurabh . 7 August 2020 . Made in India Twitter alternative Koo wins government's app innovation challenge in social category . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210609153110/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/made-in-india-twitter-alternative-koo-wins-governments-app-innovation-challenge-in-social-category/2048084/ . 9 June 2021 . 9 June 2021 . The Financial Express.
  30. News: 17 February 2021 . Twitter's clash with government gives boost to Koo app . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210609153113/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/twitters-clash-with-government-gives-boost-to-koo-app-101613517083858.html . 9 June 2021 . 9 June 2021 . Hindustan Times . Bloomberg L.P..
  31. Web site: 4 May 2021 . Koo Launches New 'Talk To Type' Feature For Indian Languages . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210516084119/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/koo-launches-new-talk-to-type-feature-for-indian-languages-6852741.html . 16 May 2021 . 16 May 2021 . Moneycontrol.
  32. Web site: Talakokkula . Karthik . 11 February 2021 . How to get Verified Account on Koo (Verified Account) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625093349/https://www.androidnature.com/how-to-get-verified-account-on-koo/ . 25 June 2021 . 25 June 2021 . Android Nature . en-US.
  33. Web site: 28 July 2021 . Like blue tick, Now Koo App will give Yellow Tick to verified users! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210728030008/https://gadgets.techly360.com/like-blue-tick-now-koo-app-will-give-yellow-tick-to-verified-users/ . 28 July 2021 . 28 July 2021 . Gadgets Techly360.
  34. Web site: 14 March 2023 . Are you present on Koo? Now, use ChatGPT to create posts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319053707/https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/are-you-present-on-koo-now-use-chatgpt-for-creating-posts-101678736779131.html . 19 March 2023 . 19 March 2023 . Hindustan Times . en.
  35. Web site: 13 March 2023 . ChatGPT makes debut with Twitter-rival Koo to write posts for you . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319053707/https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/chatgpt-makes-debut-with-twitter-rival-koo-to-write-posts-for-you-373207-2023-03-13 . 19 March 2023 . 19 March 2023 . Business Today . en.
  36. News: 24 September 2020 . Koo is now the largestmicro blog in Kannada . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509070538/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/koo-is-now-the-largestmicro-blog-in-kannada/article32687332.ece . 9 May 2021 . 12 May 2021 . The Hindu.
  37. Web site: 16 June 2021 . Rawat . Aman . Nomoskaar Assam! Koo launches app in Assamese as Twitter comes under fire . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210616124824/https://zeenews.india.com/india/nomoskaar-assam-koo-launches-app-in-assamese-as-twitter-comes-under-fire-2369591.html . 16 June 2021 . 17 June 2021 . Zee News.
  38. Web site: Official website . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212081339/https://www.kooapp.com/ . 12 February 2021 . 12 February 2021.
  39. Web site: 22 November 2022 . Indian Twitter alternative Koo app launched in Brazil, garners 1 million downloads already . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221122130336/https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/twitters-indian-alternative-koo-garners-1-million-downloads-in-brazil-days-after-launch-2300176-2022-11-22 . 22 November 2022 . 22 November 2022 . India Today . en.
  40. Web site: KVN . Rohit . 11 February 2021 . French cyber expert shows data leak on Koo app, company denies any breach . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210215024628/https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/french-cyber-expert-shows-data-leak-on-koo-app-company-denies-any-breach-949976.html . 15 February 2021 . 9 May 2021 . Deccan Herald . en.
  41. Web site: Brasil . Koo . 19 November 2022 . Brazilian digital influencer koo hacked in update. . 19 November 2022 . pt-br . Twitter.
  42. News: 7 August 2020 . MyGov Announces Winners of 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge'; Encourages the Spirit of Self-Reliance & Innovation . https://web.archive.org/web/20211119143816/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644229 . 19 November 2021 . 19 November 2021 . Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Electronics and IT.
  43. News: 17 November 2021 . Koo among top 3 hottest social media products in APAC . https://web.archive.org/web/20211119143027/https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/koo-among-top-3-hottest-social-media-products-in-apac-312514-2021-11-17 . 19 November 2021 . 19 November 2021 . BusinessToday.in.
  44. Web site: Koo's co-founder and CEO Aprameya Radhakrishna recognized among top 100 global tech changemakers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220513105652/https://www.aninews.in/news/business/koos-co-founder-and-ceo-aprameya-radhakrishna-recognized-among-top-100-global-tech-changemakers20220513130220/ . 13 May 2022 . 13 May 2022.
  45. News: Future salaries can only be paid out once Koo finds a buyer: Co-founder Mayank Bidawatka . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425165506/https://www.moneycontrol.com/europe/?url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/future-salaries-can-only-be-paid-out-once-koo-finds-a-buyer-co-founder-mayank-bidawatka-12708326.html . 25 April 2024 . 25 April 2024 . Moneycontrol.
  46. Web site: BJP-Endorsed Microblogging App 'Koo' Halts Payment to Employees: Report . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240427121211/https://thewire.in/tech/bjp-endorsed-microblogging-app-koo-halts-payment-to-employees-report . 27 April 2024 . 27 April 2024.
  47. News: ‘Little yellow bird says final goodbye’: India’s Twitter rival Koo shuts down . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240703085842/https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/little-yellow-bird-says-final-goodbye-indias-twitter-rival-koo-shuts-down-435555-2024-07-03 . 3 July 2024 . 3 July 2024 . Business Today (India).
  48. News: Social media app Koo, X’s rival in India, shuts down operations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240703162239/https://theprint.in/economy/social-media-app-koo-xs-rival-in-india-shuts-down-operations/2158946/ . 3 July 2024 . 3 July 2024 . ThePrint.

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