Sugarbook Explained

Sugarbook
Commercial:Yes
Type:Online dating service
Social network service
Registration:Yes
Owner:Darren Chan
Launch Date:2016
Current Status:Active

Sugarbook is an online dating service that was founded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[1] Sugarbook is most popular in the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines.[2]

The site is controversial in Malaysia, the country where it was founded.[3] On February 23, 2021, Sugarbook founder and CEO, Darren Chan was arrested by Malaysian police[4] and put in lockup for 10 days, as authorities in the Muslim-majority country believed that Chan had violated anti-prostitution laws.[5]

History

Sugarbook was founded by Darren Chan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016. The site focuses on connecting "sugar daddies" with "sugar babies."[6] The "sugar babies" can register for free, while the "sugar daddies" pay membership fees to find matches.[7]

Controversy

Formula One sponsorship

In 2018, Sugarbook had sponsored a party as part of the Singapore Tourism Board's Formula One-themed Sky Grande Prix event, but it was cancelled due to the controversial nature of the company's platform.[8] [9]

Arrest of founder and ban in Malaysia

On February 23, 2021, Sugarbook Founder and CEO, Darren Chan was arrested and put in lockup for 10 days.[10] [11] [12] [13] The arrest was internationally condemned, prompting attorneys and netizens to questions its legality. Chan later pleaded not guilty to the charges.[14]

Sugarbook was also blocked by Malaysian ISPs, but users in Malaysia found ways to bypass the blocks, such as using VPNs. There was a public outcry across the Asia-Pacific region, with the media publishing articles about the controversy in Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong.[15]

A day after the ban the company circumvented the block by using the URL sucrebook.com.[16] [17]

On April 4, 2021, Darren Chan spoke out about the case to VICE News.[18] Chan's arrest also prompted coverage from the BBC, New York Post,[19] Astro AEC, among others.

Google Play Store ban

As of September 1, 2021, Google has banned Sugarbook and a number of other sugar baby apps from its Google Play store.[20] [21]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-05-24. Inside the downfall of Malaysia's biggest sugar daddy platform. 2021-09-25. Rest of World. en-US.
  2. Web site: Quismundo. Tarra. 2020-10-30. Dangerous or empowering? Signups on sugar daddy dating site rise among young women in PH amid pandemic. ABS-CBN News.
  3. Web site: Taery. Divya. 2021-02-15. Malaysia wants to ban SugarBook app as the number of 'sugar babies' rise. 2021-09-25. Mashable SEA. en-sg.
  4. Web site: Malaysian police arrest founder of Sugarbook, a sugar daddy dating platform. February 18, 2021. The Straits Times.
  5. Web site: February 18, 2021. Sugarbook dating app maker arrested over 'promoting prostitution'. BBC.
  6. Web site: 2020-02-15. How to Treat Sugar Babies, According to Sugar Babies. VICE.
  7. Web site: 2018-08-22. Asia's dating apps reflect a rich mix of cultures. Financial Times.
  8. Web site: 'Sugar babies' sponsored party will no longer be part of STB's F1 promotion campaign. September 7, 2018. The Straits Times.
  9. Web site: How Singapore's F1 fling with sugar daddies turned sour. September 22, 2018. South China Morning Post.
  10. Web site: 2021-02-17. 'Sugar Dating' App Founder Arrested in Malaysia. VICE.
  11. Web site: Why Malaysia Is Cracking Down On Online Sugar Daddies. .
  12. Web site: Founder of sugar dating platform Sugarbook arrested for 'soliciting prostitution'. February 18, 2021. Mashable SEA.
  13. Web site: Sugarbook members include 'influential people in power', claims founder. The Star.
  14. Web site: Sugarbook founder pleads not guilty in Malaysia to publishing post on 'sugar babies'. February 24, 2021. The Straits Times.
  15. Web site: Sugarbook blocked in Malaysia. The Star.
  16. Web site: CoconutsKL. 2021-02-16. Sugarbook skirts ban with new name Sucrebook in URL Coconuts KL. 2021-09-25. Coconuts. en-US.
  17. Web site: Tan. Janice. 2021-02-17. Sugarbook reportedly changes URL to avoid ban, gets clamped down again. 2021-09-25. marketing-interactive.com. en-gb.
  18. Web site: Chen. Heather. 2021-04-04. Sugarbook Founder Speaks Out About Malaysia Ban. VICE.
  19. Web site: 'Sugar daddy' dating site founder arrested twice amid prostitution, rape probes. Lee. Brown. February 18, 2021.
  20. Web site: Suraya. Maya. Google To Ban Sugar Dating Apps Starting 1 September. 2021-09-25. therakyatpost.com. en-US.
  21. Web site: Wong. Abel. 2021-07-29. Google Play Store policy updated, banning sugar dating apps from 1 September 2021 onwards. 2021-09-25. technave.com.

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