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Hike, once India’s unicorn messaging app, shuts down after gaming ban
AppWizard
September 15, 2025

Hike, once India’s unicorn messaging app, shuts down after gaming ban

Indian messaging app Hike, founded in 2012 by Kavin Bharti Mittal, once competed with WhatsApp and reached over 100 million users but faced decline due to global competitors. In 2021, Hike shifted focus from messaging to mobile gaming and launched a platform called Rush. The introduction of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which banned real-money gaming platforms, led to the company's final shutdown. Mittal stated that scaling Hike's U.S. business would require significant resources, which he deemed inefficient. Hike's closure highlights the challenges tech startups face in regulatory and competitive environments.
Bye Bye Hike: Kavin Mittal’s Messaging App Becomes Latest Casualty Of Real-Money Gaming Ban
AppWizard
September 14, 2025

Bye Bye Hike: Kavin Mittal’s Messaging App Becomes Latest Casualty Of Real-Money Gaming Ban

Kavin Bharti Mittal announced the closure of Hike Messenger after 13 years due to challenges following a recent ban in India. He stated that the decision to wind down the platform was difficult and deemed a global scaling effort post-ban as not the best use of resources. Hike Messenger, launched in December 2012, had 40 million monthly active users at its peak and surpassed 100 million downloads within a few years. The platform's gaming venture, Rush, attracted 10 million users and generated over 0 million in gross revenue within four years. Mittal expressed gratitude to contributors to Hike's journey and hinted at future endeavors aimed at creating a world with limitless willpower, abundant energy, and accessible intelligence.
Why Japan wants to acquire LINE messenger app
AppWizard
July 11, 2024

Why Japan wants to acquire LINE messenger app

- Line, a popular technology platform in Japan, is currently in a struggle for ownership between SoftBank of Japan and Naver of South Korea. - The Japanese government is pressuring Line to "review" its relationship with Naver, leading to tensions between Japan and South Korea. - The situation is similar to the TikTok drama in the US, where foreign ownership of popular apps raises concerns about national security.
Drawing the Line: Japan’s Crackdown on Messenger App Signals Need for International Digital Rules - Korea Economic Institute of America
AppWizard
May 18, 2024

Drawing the Line: Japan’s Crackdown on Messenger App Signals Need for International Digital Rules – Korea Economic Institute of America

- Line, a popular messenger and social media platform in Japan, is under scrutiny due to a data breach in late 2023. - The Japanese government has issued two rounds of administrative guidance to Line Yahoo, signaling its stance on data security and national interest. - There are tensions between Japan and South Korea due to Line being a joint venture between Japan's SoftBank and South Korea's Naver. - Japan is pushing for Naver to reduce its ownership in Line Yahoo to strengthen cybersecurity, which is seen as an attempt to curb foreign influence in the Japanese market. - The Line issue highlights the need for internationally recognized digital governance standards and a framework to resolve digital trade conflicts.
Naver is on the verge of losing its messenger app
AppWizard
May 15, 2024

Naver is on the verge of losing its messenger app

Naver, a South Korean tech powerhouse, is facing pressure from its Japanese partner SoftBank to divest a portion of its stake in Line, a popular messaging app in Japan. The Japanese government's scrutiny following an information breach incident has led to a directive for Naver to review its capital relations with SoftBank and improve cybersecurity measures. This could potentially impact Naver's control over Line, which holds about 70% market share in Japan and is crucial for Naver's international sales strategy, with Japan accounting for about half of its overseas revenue. Negotiations over Line's governance structure between Naver and SoftBank are expected to conclude soon.
Politicians urge gov't to fight Japan's push to take away Naver's control of Line messenger
AppWizard
May 12, 2024

Politicians urge gov’t to fight Japan’s push to take away Naver’s control of Line messenger

Seoul is facing criticism for its perceived passivity in response to Tokyo pressuring Naver to divest its stake in LY Corp, the company behind the Line messaging app. Korean politicians are urging the government to take a more proactive approach to protect Korean companies in foreign markets and prevent potential diplomatic repercussions with Japan. The Japanese government's actions are seen as coercive, prompting calls for robust protests and a shift towards a more proactive stance from the Korean government. Foreign and ICT ministries are signaling a commitment to closely communicate with Naver and respect its managerial decisions.
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