The Hush Hush app of the year, Sarahah, which has traveled all the way from middle east to the US and European markets, stands tall with a burning question on its top if it is really private or not? The app, founded by Zain Tawfiq, hit the app stores in June and gained instant popularity in the US and Indian markets.



The app promises complete privacy to its users, but it doesn’t appear so as it has been found that the app is uploading the user’s phone contacts on to the company’s servers. A senior analyst shed light on the issue by saying that as soon as you log into the application, it transmits users’ email and phone contacts stored on the Android operating system.



The app surely asks for user’s permission to access contacts but isn’t any feature where these contacts would be required. However, Sarahah’s founder Zain al-Abidin Tawfiq clarified by stating that contact lists were being uploaded “for a planned ‘find your friends’ feature” that still awaits its release.

The app Sarahah remained in controversies since its release and also drew criticism for its anonymous nature. Many parents have reported by saying that the app has been used as a tool for Cyber bullying, and in some cases, teens have also received death threats and offensive/racist comments. Controversies often set a golden path for success in the market, and Sarahah proved it, as it gained more than 3 million users.

The app Sarahah means “frankness” in Arabic, is reportedly swinging to and fro in controversies, and issues related to its privacy and anonymous nature will continue to come up surface again and again. The app is also praised by many users who received genuine compliments and remarks, which boosted their confidence. It’s a fun app and there is no harm in giving it a try but don’t say you were not warned.