GroupMe

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GroupMe

"GroupMe App" text Type Messaging Platform Launch Date 2010 Status Active Product Line Messaging Service Platform platform Website GroupMe

GroupMe is a downloadable instant messaging application for users to communicate both individually or in groups. Designed as a free platform for its users, GroupMe is supported by almost all computers and phones via short message service (SMS) or push . This allows users to send and receive messages without cellular data. To start a group chat, users either add individuals via a phone number or through an invite link. The app may sound similar to instant message through a phone’s typical messaging system (such as iMessage), however users are not charged and there can be up to 500 members within each group chat. This exceeds iMessage's maximum group capacity that only allows up to 32 members in a group chat, depending on the user's service provider. Now owned by Microsoft, GroupMe has evolved to include polls, photo and video customization, and location sharing. It additionally has developed a “Campus Connect” tab where users can enter their college email and get access to different group chats relating to their university. GroupMe has allowed people to connect and communicate no matter the distance.

History

GroupMe (then known as Group.ly) was created in 2010 by Steve Martocci and Jared Hecht when they brought their idea of a large group messaging platform to TechCrunch Hackathon. After turning down interested investors, GroupMe officially launched on September 29, 2010 hitting their one-millionth text through the app. By its first birthday, Skype bought GroupMe for $85 million dollars which was later acquired by Microsoft in 2011.

Today, GroupMe continues to be a free messaging platform completely funded by Microsoft since there is not a direct revenue stream from its users. As of 2019, GroupMe boasts 10.75 million users in the U.S. alone, however this number is predicted to be much larger worldwide.

GroupMe Founders, Steve Martocci and Jared Hecht

Origins

Hecht credits his wife with originating the idea for the app-- applying the ‘reply all’ feature in emails to SMS. In its earliest stage, the text messaging interface worked by texting a prompt to a unique phone number, adding your friends to the group number, and texting that number to relay messages to everyone in the group. The platform’s functions were powered by Twilio, another cloud communications platform. The initial application was meant to keep in touch with friends while at music festivals. Thus, GroupMe partnered with festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza to promote the utilization of the app. In the specific geographic area where the event took place, an explosion of users would spread from when it was promoted there.

Monetization

GroupMe had raised zero revenue at the time of its acquisition by Skype. In 2011, the company began exploring monetization by potentially creating sponsored or branded groups that businesses could pay for as a method of advertising. Additionally, it planned to incorporate targeted advertising by identifying keywords in text messages to recommend offers and coupons to users, similar to Google’s strategy with Gmail. However, none of these plans were applied in the long term as GroupMe still continues to be a free service that does not generate revenue.

Features

Personalized Groups

When creating a group, the admin can decide whether it will be a closed or open group. A closed group allows only the admin to add or remove users, change the group name, avatar, and topic. An open group allows all users already in the groupchat to add or remove members, change the group name, avatar and topic. When adding an individual to a group chat, members can add new users to the group manually by adding their number or sending an invite link to the anticipated member.

Photo and Video

Users can send photos and videos within the group chat which will be saved through the chat’s gallery located in the group’s settings. They can also use the Media Search function by clicking the ‘+’ sign when typing which will allow them to search or find a GIF, Image, or Video you can add to the group chat. Users can additionally turn these different media functions into a meme which will allow them to add text to the media of their choice.

Location Sharing

Within each chat, users can send their current location to the other group members. This can be helpful if, for example, they’re getting together and need to know the specific location to meet up. To do this, users can click the ‘+’ icon on the keyboard and choose ‘Location’. If you haven’t shared it before on the platform, GroupMe will ask for your consent and allow you to pick the following options:

1. Allow once
   
2. Allow while using the app
   
3. Don’t allow
   

This can also allow users to see where their friends are at a given time.

Polls

Within each group chat on GroupMe, users can send out polls to get a census from all its members. A poll can easily be created by clicking the ‘+’ icon on the keyboard and choosing ‘Poll’. The author can then create a poll question with multiple options members can vote for. There are also customizable features such as setting a date and time when the poll will expire for voting, allowing individuals to pick multiple answers, and having the choice to make it public so members can see which poll option each individual picked.

Calendar

GroupMe installed a calendar feature in 2015 to help groups create and manage group events. Event organizers can create an event directly within the group chat by using the calendar button on the menu bar. Members can RSVP to the event and organizers can also set custom reminders. The created event along with its date and members’ RSVP responses show up directly in the messaging thread.

Ethical Implications

Academic Dishonesty

Ohio State University students were accused of using GroupMe to collaborate on classwork in 2017

Many students use GroupMe for classes to ask general questions and discuss tips for successfully completing the course. However, it has regularly been under scrutiny for students using their platform to violate their university’s code of conduct. In 2017, over 80 University of Ohio students were caught using GroupMe to work on assignments without approval for collaboration, resulting in academic consequences. In cases where students use the platform to cheat in classes, many have been discouraged from using GroupMe and also question whether the app should be held accountable. Are they responsible for the information users communicate with each other, and if so how can they prevent this from occurring? As mentioned in Danah Boyd and Kate Crawford’s writing, Critical Questions for Big Data, there are different perspectives that are held accountable for even one action. In relation to these issues on the platform, it's possible not only the students should be held accountable, but GroupMe, too for hosting the platform and continually allowing academic dishonesty to occur without improvements.

End-to-End Encryption

GroupMe does not offer end-to-end encryption, meaning third parties can have access to messages within a group. When there is end-to-end encryption, messages are sent in a secret code no other person other than those communicating can read. Without this in place, it opens up the possibility for group chats to be surveillanced and access to cybercriminals collecting this data. Therefore, when using the platform, users should be careful of what proprietary information they share as they may not know who has access to their messages.