Lyoness

myWorld's roots are linked to the Lyoness shopping community, established in 2003.{{Cite web |title=Lyoness startet mit weltweiter Mehrmarkenstrategie |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20141109_OTS0002/lyoness-startet-mit-weltweiter-mehrmarkenstrategie-bild |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=OTS.at |language=de}}

In 2017, Lyoness rebranded and reorganized its services under the brand name "Cashback World" and progressively transitioned its international subsidiaries to the "myWorld" brand.{{Cite web |date=2018-04-11 |title=Lyoness strukturiert wieder um - Neuer Name Cashback World |url=https://www.tt.com/artikel/14231630/lyoness-strukturiert-wieder-um-neuer-name-cashback-world |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Tiroler Tageszeitung Online |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Cashback World wird zu myWorld |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20201228_OTS0001/cashback-world-wird-zu-myworld-bild |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=OTS.at |language=de}}

In May 2017, myWorld International Ltd. was established in London, uniting all myWorld subsidiaries under one umbrella company. Following its separation from Lyoness, myWorld has independently evolved its business model and diversified its product and service offerings.{{Cite web |title=Keynote 2022: myWorld präsentiert seine neuesten Produkt- und Shopping-Innovationen |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20220308_OTS0009/keynote-2022-myworld-praesentiert-seine-neuesten-produkt-und-shopping-innovationen-bild |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=OTS.at |language=de}}

In July 2023, myWorld initiated a comprehensive restructuring. The company relocated its headquarters from London to Graz, Austria, and has since operated under the name myWorld International AG. myWorld International AG became the central service hub and the new umbrella company for the majority of myWorld subsidiaries worldwide.{{Cite web |title=myWorld on a global expansion course |url=https://pressat.co.uk/releases/myworld-on-a-global-expansion-course-010b723a415d60841e5f13de4f71f113/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=pressat.co.uk |language=en}}

In September 2023, myWorld was voted the second most popular cashback portal in Germany by servicevalue.de.{{Cite web |title=Cashback-Portale |url=https://servicevalue.de/rankings/cashback-portale-12/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=ServiceValue |language=de-DE}}

Also, the company supports global educational and environmental projects through partnerships with the Child & Family Foundation,{{Cite web |title=Die Child & Family Foundation und myWorld beschenken Kinder in polnischen Kinderheimen |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20190114_OTS0005/die-child-family-foundation-und-myworld-beschenken-kinder-in-polnischen-kinderheimen-bild |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=OTS.at |language=de}} and the Greenfinity Foundation.{{Cite web |title=Grüne Kooperation: Neuer Partner für die Greenfinity Foundation |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20220930_OTS0014/gruene-kooperation-neuer-partner-fuer-die-greenfinity-foundation-bild |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=OTS.at |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Radovan Vitosevic from myWorld: Success is not only what is achieved but how we feel and what we have become |url=https://businessclass.bg/radovan-vitosevic-from-myworld-success-is-not-only-what-is-achieved-but-how-we-feel-and-what-we-have-become/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Business Class |language=bg-BG}}

myWorld International AG operates the myWorld Benefit Program, which provides various perks for consumers and business partners, spanning over 50 markets. For shoppers making purchases through myWorld affiliates, the program offers rewards such as Cashback and Shopping Points, which are redeemable for discounts and deals. In the B2B sector, myWorld supports businesses by offering marketing tools for enhanced customer loyalty and exposure, charging fees only upon successful transactions, and facilitating connections within its partner network.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=mediaWorld agency GmbH {{!}} New shopping technologies: myWorld draws a positive interim result and continues its course for success |url=https://www.realwire.com/releases/myWorld-draws-a-positive-interim-result-and-continues-its-course-for-success |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=RealWire}}{{Cite web |title=myWorld International kündigt weltweites Keynote-Event an |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20211110_OTS0142/myworld-international-kuendigt-weltweites-keynote-event-an-bild |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=OTS.at |language=de}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-12 |title=myWorld International {{!}} myWorld focuses on ground-breaking shopping technologies |url=https://www.realwire.com/releases/myWorld-focuses-on-ground-breaking-shopping-technologies |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=RealWire}}{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=Online Solutions |title=Keynote 2023: myWorld announces future innovations in the shopping area |url=https://www.apmultimedianewsroom.com/multimedia-newsroom/keynote-2023-myworld-announces-future-innovations-in-the-shopping-area |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=AP Multimedia Newsroom |language=en}}

In 2004, the CEO of Lyoness, Hubert Freidl, was hired as the company's director.Excerpt from the St. Gallen (Switzerland) Chamber of Commerce, April 30, 2013 Lyoness comprises at least seven corporations registered in Switzerland,[http://www.moneyhouse.ch/firmensuche.htm?f=Lyoness&o=&fr=on&ge=on “Moneyhouse: Lyoness”] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130620020006/http://www.moneyhouse.ch/firmensuche.htm?f=Lyoness&o=&fr=on&ge=on |date=2013-06-20 }}, “Moneyhouse Company Register: Lyoness”, June 7, 2013 nine corporations registered in Austria[http://www.monetas.at/htm/872/de_AT/Firmen-Suchresultate.htm?Firmensuche=lyoness&CompanySearchSubmit=1 “Monetas: Lyoness”] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029161535/http://www.monetas.at/htm/872/de_AT/Firmen-Suchresultate.htm?Firmensuche=lyoness&CompanySearchSubmit=1 |date=2014-10-29 }}, “Monetas Company Register: Lyoness”, June 7, 2013 and approximately 42 additional national and regional corporations all around the globe.[https://archive.today/20130620015934/http://www.lyoness.com/companies/organization “Lyoness Corporate Structure – Organigramm”] “Lyoness Official Corporate Website”, June 7, 2013 The name "Lyoness" was derived from the Celtic mythological kingdom "Lyonesse".Business People Top1000 2009, page 66 "Lyconet" was introduced in 2014 as a new trademark name for the same group of corporations.

The Lyoness and Lyconet trademark names cover various corporate structures. The overarching holding corporation is named 'Lyoness International AG', which is supported by several administrative departments (which are registered corporate structures): including: Lyoness eBiz GmbH, Lyoness Dataservice GmbH, Lyoness Lyco Soft GmbH, Lyoness Child & Family Foundation, Lyoness Greenfinity Foundation.

The continental organisations are subsidiaries of Lyoness International AG and are registered as stock corporations. These are:

Lyoness Europe AG (founded in 2003), "Lyoness IMEA S.A." (2009), Lyoness North America Ltd., "Lyoness South America S.A.", "Lyoness Asia Ltd." (2011).

The country offices are subsidiaries of the continental stock corporations and are registered as privately owned, limited-liability companies.

According to Lyoness, every purchase made by its members at its partner companies benefits the Lyoness Child and Family Foundation (a Lyoness-owned charity organisation)[http://www.lyoness.net/ca-en/faqs.aspx “General questions regarding Lyoness”] “Lyoness Official Website”, June 8, 2013{{failed verification|date=January 2020}} and the Lyoness Greenfinity Foundation (a Lyoness-owned organisation promoting sustainability).[http://www.lyoness-gff.org/en “Lyoness Greenfinity Foundation”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724012817/http://www.lyoness-gff.org/en/ |date=2013-07-24 }} “Lyoness Greenfinity Foundation Official Website”, June 8, 2013

In 2012, Lyoness announced that it and its affiliated Greenfinity foundation would be the title sponsors of the Austrian Open golf tournament for three seasons, through to 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.lyonessopen.com/index.php?id=4 |title=Lyoness Open: Sponsors |publisher=Lyoness Open |date=8 June 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.lyoness.net/medien/ma_3/Sportzpower.com_25.05.2012.pdf |title=Lyoness Open Sponsor Agreement |publisher=Lyoness Open |date=8 June 2013}} Lyoness also sponsored the ‘European Juniors League’, a European football competition for youth teams,[http://www.europeanjuniorsleague.com “Lyoness European Juniors League”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717231649/http://www.europeanjuniorsleague.com/ |date=2019-07-17 }} “European Juniors League Website”, June 8, 2013 as well as Austrian club SK Rapid Wien.[http://wirtschaftsblatt.at/home/life/sport/4760518/Rapid-Wien-lacht-sich-Lyoness-an-fur-18-Millionen-Euro-im-Jahr “Wirtschaftsblatt”] “Wirtschaftsblatt”, June 22, 2015 Lyoness announced that it would pay 9 million euros over 5 soccer seasons but would not be the main sponsor of Rapid Wien.[http://www.format.at/wirtschaft/lyoness-rapid-sponsor-baustellen-5730007 “Format”] “Format”, June 23, 2015{{failed verification|date=January 2020}}

In March 2010, the Swiss magazine Beobachter published an article[http://www.beobachter.ch/konsum/konsumfallen/artikel/lyoness_haende-weg/ “Lyoness: Haende weg!”], “Beobachter”, March, 2010 with a big review and analyses of Lyoness. In early 2012, Kleine Zeitung published an article[http://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/graz/graz/2931897/lyoness-verhandlung-klagenfurt.story/ “Lyoness Verhandlung Klagenfurt”], “Kleine Zeitung”, January, 2012 suggesting that Lyoness operated an irrelevant shopping community. L'Hebdo, a Swiss magazine also criticed the company and its investment methods, not enough clear for general public.[http://www.hebdo.ch/lyoness_ou_facile_148071_.html “Lyoness ou l’argent facile”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045910/http://www.hebdo.ch/lyoness_ou_facile_148071_.html|date=2015-09-24}}, “L’Hebdo”, Februari, 2012

In February 2012, an article by Beobachter revealed that internal Lyoness communications offered members "bounties" of up to 45,000 CHF for providing "relevant information" about critics of the company. Furthermore, the article highlighted concerns about the Lyoness business model, suggesting it prioritizes recruitment over providing discounts.[http://www.beobachter.ch/konsum/konsumfallen/artikel/lyoness_drohen-mit-millionenforderung/ “Lyoness: Drohen mit Millionenforderung”], “Beobachter”, February, 2012

In 2012, the Austrian Der Standard[http://derstandard.at/1363708969899/Causa-Lyoness---VKI-leitet-Verbandsklage-ein “Causa Lyoness – VKI leitet Verbandsklage ein”], “Der Standard”, April 23, 2013, and the Swiss Handelszeitung reviewed the Lyoness and mentioned it has failed in financial fullfillment according to EU and Swiss investments regulations.[http://www.handelszeitung.ch/unternehmen/urteil-gegen-umstrittene-schweizer-firma-lyoness “Urteil gegen umstrittene Schweizer firma Lyoness”], “Handelszeitung”, June, 2012[http://www.handelszeitung.ch/unternehmen/lyoness-prominente-partner-springen-ab “Lyoness: Prominente Partner Springen Ab”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526050832/https://www.handelszeitung.ch/unternehmen/lyoness-prominente-partner-springen-ab|date=2022-05-26}}, “Handelszeitung”, September 2012[http://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/wirtschaft/oesterreich/541651_Auf-Lyoness-rollt-Klagelawine-zu.html#0038;ref=bottom “Auf Lyoness rollt Klagelawine zu”], “Wiener Zeitung”, March 2013 The Wiener Zeitung reported in 2013 about Lyoness (now MyWorld) regarding financial tensions between the Austrian government and MyWorld, having provided a detailed analyses on MyWorld (Lyoness) management and functioning. In 2023 Lyoness filed for bankruptcy letting the new successor company MyWorld continue their shopping program.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-10-27 |title=Lyoness AG Files For Bankruptcy |url=https://www.businessforhome.org/2023/10/lyoness-ag-files-for-bankruptcy/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Direct Selling Facts, Figures and News |language=en-US}}{{Better cite|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=February 2025}}

On November 30, 2011, Dragons’ Den Canada aired an episode featuring the pitch of the Lyoness ‘Premium Member’ Andy Nyakas from Brampton, Ontario, asking the ‘Dragons’ to jointly invest CDN$175,000 to acquire Lyoness ‘business packages’ through him.Dragons’ Den Canada season 6: episode 9, November 30, 2011 None of the Dragons were willing to invest. Instead, they ridiculed him and his business idea, suggesting that it's 'distasteful', and 'a pyramid scheme’. Robert Herjavec also advised Nyakis, who borrowed against his house to acquire Lyoness positions, not to invest any more money in the Lyoness system.

Another television show that has reported on Lyoness is the Austrian public television program ORF Report. This programme aired episodes under the names ‘Lyoness - The money machine’ (November 13, 2012),[http://vimeo.com/56040743 TV Beitrag 'Lyoness - Die Geldmaschine' vom 13. November 2012] 'Shopping Community Lyoness' (November27th, 2013)[http://vimeo.com/54486900 TV Beitrag '"Einkaufsgemeinschaft" Lyoness' vom 27. November 2012] and ‘The man behind Lyoness’ (April 24, 2013),[http://vimeo.com/66379500 TV Beitrag 'Der Mann hinter Lyoness' vom 24. April 2013] interviewing experts and former participants, which both say that Lyoness operates a pyramid scheme behind the façade of a ‘shopping community’ORF Report: ‘Der Goldesel‘, December 19, 2013

.[http://vimeo.com/66379500 “Der Mann hinter Lyoness”], “ORF Report”, April 23, 2013 The latter episode also features hidden camera footage of Hubert Freidl telling his followers that spreading ‘Cashback Cards’ is irrelevant – ‘it is all about the positions, positions, positions, positions’.

From a Lyoness income disclosure statement[http://cdnlarge.lyoness.net/downloads/pdf/us/info/lyo-ids-us.pdf “Lyoness Income Disclosure Statement 2012”], “Lyoness Official Website”, June 8, 2013 can be derived that the average Lyoness member in the United States receives a gross annual commission of approximately $275, or $23 per month. The monthly median commission value of $0.38 indicates that the vast majority of the members receives a lower commission than the 23 dollar monthly average.

Additionally, the document states that 46% of the Lyoness members makes $0 in commission and that the average annual expenditures, not taken into account when calculating the average commission, are $1,294. Similar figures have been reported in 2013,[http://cdnlarge.lyoness.net/downloads/pdf/us/info/lyo-ids-us.pdf “Lyoness Income Disclosure Statement 2013”] and in Canada.[http://cdnlarge.lyoness.net/downloads/pdf/ca/info/lyo-ids-ca-en.pdf “Lyoness Income Disclosure Statement Canada 2013”]

On the Internet, various websites and blogs from all over the world have focused critical attention on Lyoness, accusing the company of illegal business practices (mainly of running pyramid and Ponzi schemes) and questioning the alleged partnerships between Lyoness and several multinational corporations, as well as the validity and relevance of the certificates granted to the Lyoness shopping community. In April 2013, it was reported that former (Austrian) participants of Lyoness had organised themselves and founded an organisation and website called Plattform Lyoness.[http://www.plattform-lyoness-geschaedigte.at/ "Plattform Lyoness"], "Plattform Lyoness", June 8, 2013 Not much later, an international equivalent was established under the name Lyoness Complaint Centre.[http://www.cc-lyoness.blogspot.com/ "Lyoness Complaint Centre"], “Lyoness Complaint Centre”, June 8, 2013

In the beginning of June 2013, it was reported that Lyoness filed legal complaints against the founders of Plattform Lyoness.[http://derstandard.at/1369362712626/Lyoness-Gegner-duerfen-Ermittlungsakt-nicht-veroeffentlichen "Ermittlungsakt für Lyoness-Gegner tabu"], "Der Standard", June 5, 2013[https://archive.today/20130720040103/http://www.plattform-lyoness-geschaedigte.at/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=876 "Klage und einstweilige Verfügung gegen Plattform"], "Plattform Lyoness", June 4, 2013 The founders were forced to remove legal documents concerning Lyoness from their website. Plattform Lyoness has reported that a preliminary injunction in a subsequent court case forced Plattform Lyoness to change its domain name from www.plattform-lyoness.at to www.lyoness-geschaedigte-plattform.at, as the court found that domain names linking to negative content about Lyoness should carry a distinctive term to indicate that the domain is not hosted by Lyoness itself.[http://www.plattform-lyoness-geschaedigte.at/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1016 "Republik Österreich – Einstweilige Verfügung"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130720040120/http://www.plattform-lyoness-geschaedigte.at/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1016 |date=2013-07-20 }}, "Plattform Lyoness", July 10, 2013 Plattform Lyoness solved this by adding the term 'geschaedigte', which is the German word for 'victims'. Lyoness' other demands were not granted by the court.

In August 2015, two former employees were acquitted in Austria on charges of fraud and money laundering.[http://kaernten.orf.at/news/stories/2728652/ "ORF"]

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