A YouTuber who ‘broke the number one rule of the internet’ is set to take down his controversial app.
Marques Brownlee is a YouTuber that specializes in tech content, reviewing the latest products and offering useful tips.
His videos have earned him nearly 20 million subscribers on YouTube and over six million followers on X, formerly Twitter.
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However, he faced backlash online last year after he broke an important rule of the internet - never try to charge for something that was already free.
Brownlee announced that he was releasing a brand-new app called Panels, which gives smartphones and other devices a range of high-quality and full resolution ‘art pieces’.
These can be used as a phone’s wallpaper and people aren’t too happy about the ads and paywalls blocking their use of the app.
Taking to X to address the backlash at the time, Brownlee said: “Part of building in public is getting mass feedback immediately, which is pretty dope. Almost exactly like publishing a YouTube video.
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“First thing we're doing is fixing the excessive data disclosures, as people rightfully brought up. For transparency, we'd never actually ask for your location, internet history, etc. The data disclosures (that everyone is screenshotting) is likely too broad, and largely driven by what the ad networks suggest. Working to fix that ASAP.
“As far as pricing, I hear you! It's our own personal challenge to work to deliver that kind of value for the premium version. (Weekly Friday drops are already starting) I'll also be dialing back ad frequency for the free experience. Much more to come. I appreciate you all.”
Now, it seems like it isn’t good news for the app as it was announced that Panels will be shutting down at the end of this year.
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Afterwards, all user data will be permanently deleted and users who pay for the service will receive a pro-rated refund.
Once this is done, Brownlee has confirmed that he will open-source the app code in order to enable other developers to build on it.
On the Panels website, it states: “We’ve got some important news to share. Earlier this year, the makeup of the development team changed, and despite our best efforts to bring in collaborators who shared our passion and vision, we weren’t able to find the right fit. Rather than keeping the app running without being able to grow it in the way we originally envisioned, we felt it was best to make a clean break.”