BuzzFeed is the undisputed king of viral media, and according to a new report from The New York Times, has partnered with secret-sharing app Whisper.
15 writers will receive the ability to search Whisper for potential stories, and the app will help provide more details surrounding a secret.
“When they identify potential material, Whisper will help them find more information with access to its internal search engines. Whisper will also suggest ideas to BuzzFeed when it notices themes on its platform.”
Whisper hired former Gawker editor Neetzan Zimmerman back in January, but Zimmerman claims the partnership with BuzzFeed was discussed before he came onboard.
“BuzzFeed is just a natural partner for Whisper. It is teeming with the sort of content we will be good at.”
Obviously, the deal brings up two concerns, the first being that user’s secrets are now more easily up for grabs by one of the world’s largest media sites.
With the potential of being turned into a story, and one we might add that helps BuzzFeed rake in the dough, will users think twice before posting?
Also, there’s the very serious problem of humans being naturally good liars.
Combine that with being anonymous on an app like Whisper, and you’ve got yourself the ideal situation.
The New York Times says the partnership between BuzzFeed or Whisper will not result in any money out of pocket, and it’s not exclusive.
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