Image Source: https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/neon-green-phone-GettyImages-1571854632.jpg?resize=1200,801
Neon, the No. 2 social app on the Apple App Store, pays users to record their phone calls and sells data to AI firms. This innovative app has rapidly gained traction, skyrocketing up the charts to become the second most popular social networking app in the U.S. Apple App Store.
What is Neon Mobile?
Neon Mobile positions itself as a moneymaking tool, offering users “hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year” in exchange for access to their audio conversations. The app operates on a system where users are compensated for making calls through the platform. According to Neon’s terms, the company pays 30 cents per minute for calls made to other Neon users, with a maximum payout of $30 per day. Additionally, users can earn money through referrals, creating an engaging community around the service.
The Rise to Popularity
Just recently, Neon was ranked a surprising No. 476 in the Social Networking category of the U.S. App Store on September 18. By the following day, it had moved up to No. 10, and on September 24, it shot to No. 2 in the charts. This quick ascent indicates a significant consumer interest in apps that monetize their data, even at the risk of personal privacy.
Data Collection Practices
Neon’s business model centers around recording calls made by its users. The company states it captures inbound and outbound calls, but claims to only record users’ sides unless both parties are using Neon. The data collected is then sold to AI companies for purposes of developing and refining machine learning models.
Neon’s terms of service grant them a broad license to use the recorded conversations. Users essentially give Neon a “worldwide, exclusive, irrevocable” right to potentially do anything with their recorded data. This includes selling and distributing it across various media formats, raising several concerns about privacy and data security.
Legal Considerations and Privacy Risks
Some legal experts suggest that the recording practices of Neon could skirt around wiretap laws. Several states require consent from both parties to record a conversation. As stated by Jennifer Daniels, a partner in a privacy law firm, Neon’s approach to recording only one side may be a strategy to avoid these legal obstacles, but it still involves significant risks.
Legal professionals warn that while Neon claims to anonymize user data before selling it, there are concerns about how effectively they can protect user identities. Voice data could be manipulated for fraudulent purposes, making individuals vulnerable to impersonation and other security breaches.
User Experience and Transparency
A brief investigation into Neon revealed that the app does not inform users that calls are being recorded, nor does it provide warnings to those on the receiving end of the call. The app behaves like a typical voice-over-IP service, and the recording process is not disclosed during calls, raising further questions about transparency in user agreements.
Despite such concerns, the rapid adoption of Neon indicates a growing acceptance of data trading practices among users, many of whom might see the potential financial benefits as outweighing the risks of privacy invasion.
Are Users Willing to Compromise Their Privacy?
The emergence of apps like Neon reflects a notable shift in attitudes toward data privacy. Many users appear more willing to trade personal information for potential monetary benefits, perhaps influenced by a culture where data monetization has become normalized. This could signal a new era where consumer data is not just harvested discreetly, but actively solicited in exchange for cash rewards.
While the app presents as a novel opportunity, users need to remain vigilant about the implications of sharing their data. It prompts a reevaluation of how personal privacy is valued in an age where AI and data-driven technologies are increasingly integrated into everyday life.
FAQs
What is Neon Mobile?
Neon Mobile is a social app that pays users to record phone calls and sells that data to AI firms.
How much does Neon pay users for calls?
Neon pays 30 cents per minute for calls made to other Neon users and up to $30 per day for calls to any other numbers.
Is Neon legal?
While Neon primarily records one side of conversations, there may be legal implications depending on state wiretap laws regarding consent for recording calls.
What are the privacy risks of using Neon?
The app raises several privacy concerns, including the potential misuse of recorded voice data and the app’s broad licensing terms over user data.
How is Neon different from other VoIP services?
Neon distinguishes itself by compensating users for their call data, which is then sold for AI development purposes.
