SMULE: A Toxic Relationship

We’ve all been there—falling in love with an app that promises us the world, only to realize it's like a bad relationship. It seems great at first, but then those little annoyances start piling up. One glaring example? Smule—a karaoke app that, on paper, has everything you'd want: a fun way to connect with others through music. But after years of use, I’ve come to see its toxic traits.

Sure, an app can have all the bells and whistles, but what makes it truly toxic is the lack of essential, respectful features. Features that honor user discretion. Let me break it down:

1. The Log-Out Dilemma:

Ever wanted to switch accounts on Smule? Good luck! For years, Smule didn’t offer an easy way to log out and log back in with a different account. You either stuck with your current account, or you’d have to go through hoops just to manage a simple task. How does an app this established overlook something so basic?

2. The Deletion Debacle:

And here’s the kicker—when I finally decided to delete my account, Smule said, “Sure, we’ll delete it… in 30 days!” Now, I get it: some platforms offer a grace period in case you change your mind. That’s fair. But Smule went a step further. While my account is in this deactivation limbo, the links to my recordings are still fully functional to anyone I’ve ever shared them with.

That’s right—my content remains accessible, even though I’m trying to erase my presence. This feels less like a courtesy and more like coercion. If I decide to leave, why is it so hard for Smule to respect that decision? Is keeping my content live for others after I've asked to delete my account really ethical?

3. What’s Really Going On Here?

It baffles me that in 2024, with all the user-friendly technology available, platforms like Smule still engage in these questionable practices. To disregard a user’s clear decision to delete their account by keeping their content live feels, frankly, exploitative. Shouldn't user consent be at the core of these platforms?

While the app itself offers a lot of fun, it’s this underlying disregard for user autonomy that turns a good experience sour. Apps need to evolve, not just in terms of features, but in respecting the rights and decisions of their users.

Final Thoughts:

Why do companies—especially new-age ones like Smule—still engage in practices that don’t honor user discretion? Isn’t it time they started respecting their users’ choices, rather than finding ways to hold onto their data after they’ve chosen to leave? It’s 2024, after all—shouldn't user privacy and decision-making be the priority?

Let me know what you think. Have you experienced similar issues with apps like Smule?

Until next time,

Your Copy Sucks! Team