DeleteMe acquires social media security tool Block Party

Tracy Chou, the founder of Block Party, announced on Wednesday that her company has been acquired by DeleteMe, a service specializing in online personal data removal. Chou, a software engineer and advocate for diversity in the tech industry, established Block Party in 2018 to provide a safeguard against targeted harassment on Twitter, drawing from her own experiences on the platform. In 2022, Chou successfully raised $4.8 million in seed funding to broaden Block Party's reach to additional social networks. This move proved timely, as Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter soon followed, leading the platform to implement charges for API access. These expenses became unmanageable for a startup like Block Party, prompting a swift pivot toward launching protective tools for other platforms. Over time, Block Party transformed into a browser extension aimed at 'deep cleaning' users' social media profiles, integrating with a variety of platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Venmo, Facebook, and even X. Chou expressed her ongoing belief in creating a safer and more equitable internet, stating, "The mission continues. It just got a lot more powerful." Reflecting on her past experiences, Chou shared her journey from being an advocate to facing significant intrusions into her personal life, which highlighted the vulnerabilities of online exposure. This realization led her to discover DeleteMe, a service that assists in removing personal data from data brokers and search sites. However, she recognized the lack of a similar solution for social media protection, which inspired her to launch Block Party. Chou noted that the acquisition of Block Party by DeleteMe will streamline solutions for both enterprise clients and consumers, eliminating the need for them to seek multiple services. She assured current Block Party users that there would be no immediate changes as the tool integrates into DeleteMe, promising to keep users informed throughout the transition. "We don’t have to choose between having a voice and being safe. That was always the point," Chou emphasized, underscoring the importance of safety in the digital age. The specifics of the acquisition deal have not been publicly disclosed.