TThe 8-year-old social networking app Path is officially going away.By Monday, Oct. 1, users will no longer be able to download or update the app via iTunes or Google Play. Path plans to officially terminate the service on Oct. 18. At that point the app will become inaccessible. On Nov. 15, Path customer service will end.
"Over the years we have tried to lay out our mission: through technology and design we aim to be a source of happiness, meaning, and connection to our users," the Path team wrote in a Monday blog post. "Along our journey we have laughed and cried with you, and learned valuable lessons. And it is now inevitable to wind down the service to prioritize our work to serve you with better products and services."If you're a current or former Path user, be sure to request a copy of your data before Oct. 18, if you want it, otherwise it will go away forever. To do that, head here, log in with your Path account, and click the button and enter your email address where you want to receive the backup files. If you have the latest version of the app installed on your phone, visit Settings to request your backup files.If you recently purchased a premium Path subscription, you may be eligible for a refund. For instructions on how to request a refund, head over to Path's announcement. If you have questions about obtaining a copy of your data or a refund, email the company at: [email protected].
Launched in 2010, Path was designed to help you keep tabs on just your closest friends. It was often used as a personal journal or another way to publicly share updates with your inner circle.In 2012, the company came under fire for uploading users' mobile address books without permission, and ended up having to pay an $800,000 fine. Not long after that, Path was accused of spamming members' contacts with messages and calls, a controversy that drew the ire of Facebook, which quickly moved to block the app from finding users' friends.
In 2015, Path was acquired by South Korean internet company Daum Kakao, maker of KakaoTalk, for an undisclosed sum.
