Yahoo this week began testing a new messaging app on iOS and Android called "Squirrel," aimed at organizing private group chats with friends, family members, and work acquaintances. The app's main feature is that group access is private and people can only be added through invitation links (via TechCrunch).

Squirrel looks visually similar to apps like Slack and Discord, offering groups access to a "Main Room," where everyone can meet up and chat, and then there's an option to create side rooms for more specific topics. These can potentially include "Secret Rooms" for chats hidden from the main group and one-on-one threads. Users in all rooms can share photos, documents, or links in chats, as well as create custom reactions.

squirrel yahoo app
Users can mute rooms they don't have any interest in, and administrators can send "blasts" to all users that flag priority messages. Whenever someone mentions your name, a separate Activity view will accumulate these messages so it's easier to scroll through and get caught up with the conversation.

Yahoo originally debuted its Yahoo Messenger app on the iOS App Store [Direct Link] in April 2009, giving users the ability to instant message their contacts when away from their computer. In the years since, messaging apps like Apple's iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and others have surged in popularity and caused users to leave Yahoo's platform for ones more popular among their own friend groups. Today, Yahoo Messenger is #167 on the App Store's most-downloaded Social Networking app list.

According to Yahoo parent company Oath, one of the main reasons for Squirrel's creation is "improving group communication in everyday life."

“At Oath, we’re always looking for creative ways to add value to our members’ lives,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We listen closely and frequently test new product ideas based on research and feedback. Right now we’re experimenting with a new invite-only messaging app focused on improving group communication in everyday life.”

Since Squirrel is invite-only, to gain access you'll have to ask someone who already has it to send you an invite to a group. According to TechCrunch, "the ability to kick off a conversation group is also currently in invitation-only mode." The iOS app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch [Direct Link].

Tag: Yahoo

Top Rated Comments

redneckitengineer Avatar
77 months ago
From the bankrupt company who lost all your data in a breach comes a new exciting way to lose your private messages called squirrel. Why, because you’ve got to be nuts to install it.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jsmith189 Avatar
77 months ago
I question why they're even trying at this point. Not only because of their terrible reputation, but there are so many VERY well established chat companies that do exactly the same thing already in existence.

A terrible reputation getting into an over-saturated market. Good job, guys. (Y)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dwalls90 Avatar
77 months ago
On what planet does any company seriously believe we need another messaging platform?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cknibbs Avatar
77 months ago
Wait... Yahoo still exists?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
77 months ago
If anyone cared to read the new Yahoo/Oath user agreement that will be mandatory to agree upon to continue using the service- they would run for the hills.
I suggest that anyone still clinging ignorantly and lazily to their service (if they care about their online privacy at all) to close out or suspend any Yahoo accounts and refuse to send emails to anyone with a Yahoo/AOL email address.

If people thought what Cambridge Analyitica did with FaceBook data was bad, well I can tell you (as outlined clearly in the new User Agreement) that Verizon/Oath/Yahoo is going to take that data mining to a whole new level.

Run for the hills and don't look back. Yahoo is a trap for the lazy & ignorant... and that's NOT an opinion but a fact. Nobody should be using Yahoo services.

Having an email address that ends in @yahoo.com is a global badge of shame that follows you everywhere.
Dump it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
77 months ago
An app for private conversations that had a massive breach? Ooooookay.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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