The domestic micro-blogging “Koo” app has now become Twitter’s official replacement not only in India but also in Nigeria. A week after banning Twitter indefinitely Nigerian government has officially made its way to the Indian microblogging app Koo.
Ever since Twitter and the Indian government war began after the Farmers protest in August people started noticing the Koo app.
The microblogging site has garnered nearly 6 million downloads in just one year and has impressive content posted by the communities every day. Koo has many regional languages. It also features Bollywood celebrities Anupam Kher, Kangana Ranaut, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal, and Smriti Irani.
“Koo” was co-founded by Aprameya Radhakrishna, founder of Taxi For Sure, and Mayank Bidawatka, a former founder of Media Ant & Good Box.
At the end of May, the social media app raised Rs 30 million under Series B funding at a crucial time of conflict between the Center and Twitter over a toolkit. Tiger Global of America has spearheaded this round of funding. Current investors Axel Partners, Calorie Capital, Bloom Ventures, and Dream Incubator also participated in this round. With this, the value of the “Koo” app almost quadrupled to $ 100 million. IIFL and Myre Estates are the other new investors who have risen to the cap table with this round.
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Co-founder and CEO Aprameya Radhakrishna said, “We have plans to grow into one of the largest social media platforms in the world in the next few years. That every Indian is eager to get closer. Tiger Global is the right partner to make this dream come true. ”
Nigeria’s move to suspend Twitter indefinitely in the country came after the US microblogging site removed a post by President Muhammadu Buhari on the social networking website stating that the post had violated the regulations.
The government of Nigeria also claimed that the microblogging site used to disrupt “the corporate existence of Nigeria” by creating “violent effects” through fake news and misleading information.
There were factions in Nigeria that criticized the Twitter shut down for a violation of fundamental freedom of speech and expression.
Twitter gave out a statement about Nigeria’s suspension which said.”We’re highly concerned about suspending Twitter in Nigeria,”
” In current culture, unfettered access and #OpenInternet is a vital human right. We will strive to restore access to the world through Twitter for all those in Nigeria.”
The Former US President Donal Trump who was banned from Twitter after people pointed out how the social media apps have let on his hate speech which turned into one of the biggest riots America has ever seen, The Capitol breach. Praised Nigeria on banning Twitter. “Twitter and Facebook should be banned from more countries for not allowing open and free expression.” Adding how every voice should be heard. He also said the competition will grow many apps and platforms will take hold. Trump also included Mark Zuckerberg in his statement telling he should have banned the social media platforms when he had the right to but Zuckerberg kept calling and visiting him for dinner praising how great he was.
This opportunity has left international platforms up for grabs for various obscure microblogging platforms. For now, Koo has gained the upper hand but suppressing millions of followers. Nigerian Government joining the club is another advantage for the Indian microblogging app.
Twitter has been in the bad books for the Indian government over various disputes and most of the government officials and celebrities are now shifting to Koo and also promoting the same on Twitter.
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