Whisper

Whisper is a proprietary mobile application launched in March 2012 by WhisperText LLC, co-founded by Michael Heyward and Brad Brooks. It serves as an anonymous social media platform, allowing users to post and share photo and video messages without revealing their identities. These posts, termed "whispers," consist of text superimposed over an image, with the background either sourced from Whisper's search engine or uploaded by the user.

The app has gained significant traction, particularly among younger demographics, with a user base that predominantly consists of individuals aged 18 to 34. By 2017, Whisper boasted 250 million monthly users across 187 countries and generated 17 billion monthly pageviews. The platform's appeal lies in its anonymity, which contrasts sharply with the identity-driven nature of other social media platforms like Facebook. This anonymity has fostered a supportive community where users feel comfortable sharing personal thoughts, confessions, and experiences without fear of repercussion. Whisper has been dubbed "the anti-Facebook" by various media outlets, highlighting its role as a counterpoint to more traditional social networks.

In addition to its core user base, Whisper has also been used as a platform for citizen journalism, particularly during times of political unrest, such as the 2014 violence in Iraq. The platform has evolved to include brand advertising, with promotional partnerships with major companies like Netflix, NBCUniversal, Disney, and HBO. 

Whisper was acquired by MediaLab, though it continues to function as a separate entity. Despite concerns about its handling of user data, the app remains popular, particularly for its ability to generate authentic, user-driven content powered by its AI storytelling technology, Eliot. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms.

Whisper is a mobile application launched in March 2012 by WhisperText LLC, a media company co-founded by Michael Heyward and Brad Brooks. Positioned as an anonymous social media platform, Whisper allows users to post and share photo and video messages anonymously. These posts, known as "whispers," consist of text superimposed on an image, with the background either sourced from Whisper's search engine or uploaded by the user. The platform's unique selling point is its anonymity, which offers users a space to express personal thoughts, confessions, and experiences without revealing their identities.

The development of Whisper’s system was initially outsourced to Inaka, a web and mobile app development consultancy based in Seattle, Washington, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The original backend of Whisper utilised the Riak NoSQL database, but due to performance issues, the system was later transitioned to MySQL and Apache Cassandra. As the platform grew, Whisper brought its technology team in-house, establishing a robust engineering team based in Venice, California, now known as "Silicon Beach." By 2013, Whisper had a dedicated team of 25 engineers working to refine the platform and improve its capabilities.

In March 2016, Whisper began integrating artificial intelligence into its platform, introducing a content moderation tool called the Arbiter. The Arbiter, leveraging deep learning technology, was designed to assess and moderate incoming whispers with a nuanced understanding of language. This tool was part of a broader strategy to manage the vast amount of user-generated content and maintain a supportive community atmosphere on the platform. The AI technology was further utilised to create content through a system called Eliot, which allowed Whisper to gather and organise posts related to specific themes, adding context and even generating headlines.

Whisper gained significant traction, particularly among younger demographics, with a user base predominantly consisting of individuals aged 18 to 34. The platform's appeal lay in its promise of anonymity, which contrasted sharply with the identity-driven nature of other social media platforms like Facebook. This anonymity fostered a supportive community where users felt comfortable sharing personal and often sensitive content without fear of repercussion. Whisper was dubbed "the anti-Facebook" by various media outlets, underscoring its role as a counterpoint to more traditional social networks.

By 2015, Whisper had reached 10 million monthly active users, a figure that doubled to 20 million by the end of the same year. In April 2016, the platform reported over 30 million monthly active users, with 250 million monthly users across 187 countries by 2017. These users generated 17 billion monthly pageviews, illustrating the platform’s widespread reach and influence.

WhisperText LLC, the company behind Whisper, received its first round of venture capital funding in April 2013, securing $3 million from Lightspeed Venture Partners. This was followed by a second round of funding in September 2013, where the company raised $21 million from investors including Sequoia Capital, Trinity Capital, Krum Capital, and Lightspeed. By May 2014, Whisper had secured an additional $36 million in funding, bringing its total venture capital to $61 million.

Whisper’s business model evolved to include brand advertising, with the platform establishing promotional partnerships with major companies such as Netflix, NBCUniversal, Disney, HBO, and MTV. These partnerships enabled Whisper to monetise its large user base and high engagement levels, turning the platform into a viable advertising medium for brands seeking to reach younger, tech-savvy audiences. The app experimented with various advertising formats, including branded campaigns, video ads, and Whisper Polls, which allowed brands to engage directly with users.

Beyond its role as a social media platform, Whisper has also been utilised as a tool for citizen journalism. During periods of political unrest, such as the 2014 violence in Iraq, Whisper became a critical platform for real-time reporting, allowing users to share news and updates that were often more immediate than mainstream media coverage. The platform’s anonymity allowed individuals in volatile situations to share information without fear of retribution, highlighting its potential as a tool for social and political commentary.

Whisper also positioned itself as a platform for social good, partnering with organisations like the Anti-Defamation League and the Ad Council to promote campaigns against cyberbullying and online hate. In 2016, Whisper launched a Spanish-language version of its app and partnered with the It Gets Better Project in Mexico to empower LGBTQ voices.

In a significant corporate development, Whisper was acquired by MediaLab, though it continues to function as a separate entity. This acquisition did not deter the platform’s commitment to its core values of anonymity and community support. Whisper remains popular, particularly for its ability to generate authentic, user-driven content, powered by its AI storytelling technology, Eliot.

Despite concerns about its handling of user data, Whisper has maintained its relevance in the competitive social media landscape. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms and continues to innovate, leveraging advanced technology to enhance user experience and content creation. As Whisper moves forward, it aims to build on its strengths as a unique and influential platform in the digital media ecosystem.

Whisper's mission is to create a safe and anonymous platform where people can express their true thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or repercussion. By fostering a community rooted in authenticity, Whisper aims to empower individuals to share their experiences, support one another, and build a global network of trust and understanding.

Whisper envisions a world where everyone can freely share their innermost thoughts and feelings, fostering a more open and connected society. Through innovative technology and a commitment to privacy, Whisper seeks to lead the evolution of social media towards platforms that prioritise user anonymity, safety, and community support.

Whisper has been recognised for its innovation in social media, particularly in fostering a supportive and anonymous community. CEO Michael Heyward was featured in Forbes' "Top 30 Under 30 in Technology" in 2014. The platform has also received accolades for its role in citizen journalism and social impact, particularly during periods of political unrest.

Whisper offers a unique social media platform designed for anonymous communication, allowing users to post text over images—referred to as "whispers." The app, available on both iOS and Android, enables users to share their thoughts, confessions, and experiences without revealing their identities. Whisper has integrated AI technology, including its proprietary tool, Eliot, to curate and organise content, enhancing the user experience.

In addition to providing a space for personal expression, Whisper serves as a platform for brand advertising, with partnerships with companies like Netflix, Disney, and HBO. The app also supports social causes through collaborations with organisations like the Anti-Defamation League and the Ad Council, promoting anti-bullying and mental health awareness campaigns. 

Whisper’s AI-driven content moderation and creation tools ensure that the platform remains a safe and supportive environment for its global community of users.