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What to know about Clubhouse
Curious about Clubhouse, the invite-only audio chat app? You’re not alone. Despite its exclusivity, the iPhone app has garnered millions of downloads. Here’s what we know so far.
What is Clubhouse? The basics and behind the scenes
Clubhouse enables users to host and join audio conversations with other users. With a $1 billion valuation, it has about a dozen employees.
For now, The app is invite-only
But its CEO Paul Davison told CNBC the platform would open to all users as soon as possible.
The easiest — and quickest — way to access the platform is to get invited by a friend who already has a Clubhouse account.
"We're working to open up to everyone as fast as we can," Clubhouse CEO Paul Davison said in an appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box."
Big names including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have appeared on Clubhouse
Musk has appeared on a Clubhouse talk show named "The Good Time Show."
Entrepreneurs are touting the app as a way to grow a business
Meanwhile, Black creatives have used the app to adapt musical theater productions like Dreamgirls.
China has blocked Clubhouse
Some Chinese users were paying more than $60 for an invite, and chat rooms were discussing Xinjiang's Uighur detention camps and Taiwan independence, Reuters reported.
The app has had trouble with moderation
"Any social network needs to make moderation a top priority," Clubhouse CEO Paul Davison said in an appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box."
A chatroom on Clubhouse exploded into an anti-Semitic tirade in September, several people in the room told Insider.
Clubhouse may soon have competition
Facebook is working on a competitor to the buzzy social app, the New York Times reports.
