A new Black-owned social network app is being called the new “Black Twitter” because of its firm anti-hate policy.
Blitter launched Thursday on the iTunes app store, touting that it does not condone racism, sexism, harassment, bots, or hate speech. Instead, the app description says it is built on love, passion, and empathy.
Blitter users are able to post statuses with up to 120 characters, photos, standard videos up to 15 seconds long, and “Vine-like” videos with start and stop capabilities. Users can also like posts, leave comments, use hashtags, and chat privately or in group messages.
“Any posts or comments displaying racism, sexism, or hate speech will result in account deletion,” the Blitter app description says.
Some Twitter users were excited about the anti-hate policies of Blitter and encouraged others to support the app since it is Black-owned.
https://twitter.com/KingChapo6/status/917044147143319552
https://twitter.com/JButton052018/status/917182436009791490
https://twitter.com/Bella_Brownie1/status/916879250959097857
https://twitter.com/jessicas_island/status/916466866624835584
https://twitter.com/HBCU_Roundtable/status/916354642287779840
https://twitter.com/isthatkdubb/status/916408334462406657
Me packing my bags for this move to the #Blitter app pic.twitter.com/34iR8POQuA
— Ann Marie Lastrassi (@REDRUMpeace) October 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/xo_cnt/status/917420817725706243
https://twitter.com/_MyDMsBroke/status/917874875464904705
Others were less than thrilled about the nearly identical app and decided to stick to Twitter.
https://twitter.com/MrGoodBeard_/status/917292531834081280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmic.com%2Farticles%2F185075%2Fblitter-theres-finally-an-app-where-black-twitter-can-escape-online-harassment
Me still on Twitter after all my friends have gone to Blitter. pic.twitter.com/CKcwLqFwAD
— Muva Snow ❄️ (@jayysnoww) October 9, 2017
I’m all for a black owned social media site/app but it has to be a lot more creative than Blitter(Black Twitter).
— B.L. (@escomiller) October 7, 2017
After I log on to Twitter an see everybody gone to blitter pic.twitter.com/Oiw9py7NdC
— The Fun Guy (@APthaG) October 9, 2017
Bro why tf do we need a blitter fam twitter good enough
— hairbynae💇🏽♀️ (@DjNastyNae) October 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/tiaramescudi/status/917858389098663936
Some users even said Blitter is a racist app.
https://twitter.com/Hayk055/status/917370003372105730
https://twitter.com/HillarySoros/status/917216746024644614
https://twitter.com/domiashaa/status/917520131768619011
Many Twitter users assumed Blitter was a blend of “Black” and “Twitter,” but the app said it was named after a circuit.
https://twitter.com/GetOnBlitter/status/917193343691558912
This was the second app in the iTunes store released by developer Patrick Francis. His first app, “Trending Topix,” was also a social networking app. As of Tuesday evening, Blitter was No. 20 on the iTunes chart for free social networking apps.