RingID
{{Short description | Social networking platform}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Orphan|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox software
| name = ringID
| title = ringID
| logo = RingID.png
| developer = Ring Inc.
| released = July 2015
| latest release version = {{Multiple releases
|branch1 = iOS
|version1 = 5.2.8
|date1 = {{Start date and age|2020|01|30}}{{Cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/app/id925330759|title=ringID - Live, Voice & Chat|website=App Store|language=en-us|access-date=October 29, 2019}}
|branch2 = Android
|version2 = 5.4.7
|date2 = {{Start date and age|2019|10|26}}{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ringid.ring&hl=en_US|title=ringID - Live Broadcasting, Free Video Call & Chat - Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|language=en|access-date=October 26, 2019}}
|branch3 = Windows Phone
|version3 = 4.4.0.0{{Cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/ringid/9wzdncrcv6nb|title = Get ringID|website = Microsoft}}
|branch4 = Windows NT
|version4 = 4.8.3.0
}}
| programming language =
| operating system = Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows NT
| language = English, BanglaringID app for Android
| genre = Instant messaging, social networking, VoIP
| license = Freeware{{cite web|title=ringID's Privacy Policy|url=http://www.ringid.com/privacy.html|access-date=August 2, 2015|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710124458/https://www.ringid.com/privacy.html|url-status=dead}}
| website = {{URL|ringid.com}}
}}
ringID{{cite web|title=ringID|url=http://www.ringid.com}} is a controversial social networking platform designed and developed by Ring Inc. located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ringID allows users to communicate for free using their individual ID globally over the internet. It was initially released in July 2015.{{cite web|title=Can Canadian ringID become the next big social app?|url=http://www.geektime.com/2015/08/03/can-canadian-ringid-become-the-next-big-social-app/|work=GeekTime|accessdate=August 3, 2015|archive-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409093019/https://www.geektime.com/2015/08/03/can-canadian-ringid-become-the-next-big-social-app/|url-status=dead}}
It has been called a Ponzi scheme and criticized for not allowing users to cash out. In September 2021, an embezzlement case was filed in Bangladesh against 25 people, including two founders of the company. One founder was arrested for embezzling funds.
History
ringID was initially released in July 2015 by Ring Inc.,{{cite web|title=Social Networking App ringID Offers Secret Chat for Disappearing Messages|url=http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-networking-app-ringid-offers-secret-chat-for-disappearing-messages|work=AdWeek|date=July 27, 2015 |accessdate=July 27, 2015}}
with video calling features added in 2016.{{cite web|title=Spotlight: ringID messenger promises quality HD video calls over slow connections|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Spotlight-ringID-messenger-promises-quality-HD-video-calls-over-slow-connections_id78372|work=PhoneArena|date=February 16, 2016 |accessdate=February 16, 2016}} More features were added with the goal of providing a single platform to cater to all social networking needs.
Features
ringID was conceptualized as an all-in-one social networking platform.{{cite web|title=Forget Unbundling, ringID Brings the Most Powerful Mobile Messaging and Social Features Together|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/forget-unbundling-ringid-brings-most-120500103.html|work=Yahoo Finance|accessdate=September 29, 2015}} The platform can be used for live broadcasting,{{cite web|title=ringID live is some next level stuff when it comes to live broadcasting|url=http://thetechnews.com/2017/11/12/ringid-live-is-some-next-level-stuff-when-it-comes-to-live-broadcasting|work=TheTechNews|accessdate=November 12, 2017}} voice and video calls, messaging, and content sharing.{{cite web|title=The last social network you'll ever need to join?|url=https://www.techinasia.com/one-app-to-rule-them-all|work=TechInAsia|accessdate=November 20, 2015}}
Users can delete messages from both their device and the receiver's.{{cite web |title=Secret Chat App ringID Will Self Destruct Your Messages |url=http://www.idigitaltimes.com/secret-chat-app-ringid-will-self-destruct-your-messages-461492 |work=iDigitalTimes |accessdate=July 27, 2015 |archive-date=March 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323003836/http://www.idigitaltimes.com/secret-chat-app-ringid-will-self-destruct-your-messages-461492 |url-status=dead }} They can also send instant messages to recipients which are deleted automatically once the predefined time is over.{{cite web |date=August 3, 2015 |title=SOCIAL NETWORK PLATFORM RINGID PLANNING TO REPLACE SNAPCHAT |url=http://appmess.com/news/26594-social-network-platform-ringid-planning-to-replace-snapchat |work=AppMess |accessdate=August 3, 2015}}
Criticism and complaints
The Business Standard has accused RingID of being a Ponzi scheme because it pays users for bringing in more users and for watching advertisements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/ringid-another-shady-scheme-preying-youth-306136|title = RingID: Another Ponzi business thrives|date = September 22, 2021}} In September 2021, The Business Standard reported that users were not able to cash out, which it characterized as embezzlement.{{Cite news |last1=Sajid |first1=Eyamin |last2=Chowdhury |first2=Zia |date=September 30, 2021 |title=ringID embezzled Tk302 crore in just three months |language=en |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/corruption/ringid-embezzled-tk302-crore-just-three-months-309787 |access-date=April 2, 2022}} In total 21.2 million taka were allegedly embezzled.{{cite web | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/ringid-embezzled-tk-212cr-3-months-2189266?amp | title=RingID embezzled Tk 212cr in 3 months | date=October 3, 2021 }} A case was filed against 25 people, including RingID owners, under the Digital Security Act and the Multi-Level Marketing Control Act.
Two company founders were arrested in December 2016 in connection with an unpaid fees case filed by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. The two moved to Canada while out on bail.
In October 2021, one founder was remanded in jail by a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate,{{cite web|url=https://www.risingbd.com/english/national/news/82762|title=ringID Director Saiful lands in jail|date=October 5, 2021|access-date=May 11, 2022|work=Rising BD}} after his arrest on charges of misappropriating Tk200 crore in three months by luring people to ringID's investment scheme and promising online income.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2021/12/29/e-commerce-in-bangladesh-faced-its-own-pandemic-in-2021|title=E-commerce in Bangladesh faced its own pandemic in 2021|first=Zisan|last=Bin Liaquat|date=December 30, 2021|access-date=May 11, 2022|work=Dhaka Tribune}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/crime/ringid-director-saiful-arrested-310342|title=ringID Director Saiful arrested|work=The Business Standard|date=October 2, 2021|access-date=May 11, 2022}}
Notable here that RingID did not pay wages to hundreds of software developers between 2017 and 2019. One victim said that the company owes him over two hundred thousand of BDT and he has given up any hope of getting money back as it is run by a Mafia group.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|ringid.com}}
Category:Android (operating system) software
Category:Cross-platform software