Invite-Only Social App Clubhouse Is Slowly Getting Pried Open
Once a playground for early adopters, the private chat app is attracting tech leaders, celebrities and politicians—and the media attention that comes with them.
Photographer: Christoph Dernbach/picture alliance/ Images
When Clubhouse, a private social app, debuted in March of last year, it was hard for most people to score an invitation. Over the summer, its limited rollout fueled intrigue and chatter, especially as big names in music, entertainment and tech created accounts. Even Oprah made an appearance. On the app, users hosted off-the-cuff, informal conversations where they would talk to hundreds of listeners—like a large conference call, but more fun.
To join Clubhouse, people needed to be invited by existing members. As the app reached thousands of users in the summer, one group still seemed to be largely missing: journalists.