The LYKA app launched in Southeast Asia in March 2019 and immediately became a hot topic. It captured the people's interest and curiosity in January 2021 after it trended on Twitter.
What is the LYKA app?
LYKA is an app that combines social media with e-commerce, community and content creation. Like any social media app, you can post pictures, text, videos and you can also interact with friends and famous personalities.
The app has a newsfeed section where you can view all of the updates, and you can curate your profile page and customize it. The posts are also categorized since the app is more focused on interests and niche groups.
LYKA app CEO Ryan Baird state on his LinkedIn profile that the app is shaping the future of work with a Social Wallet that pays the people for their passion.
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LYKA Gems and where you can use them
Every single action that you take on the app lets you collect gems. You can collect them from uploading your own content to rating the posts of other people. You can also share and you can receive LYKA gems from friends who are also on the platform.
Merchants also do giveaways sometimes and according to Yugatech 1 gem is equal to Php1, and that users can get five gems as soon as they create an account.
You can also use your gems at partner merchant. Currently you can use your gems instead of cash payments at retailers like Plains and Prints, Mango, New Balance, Guess, BLK Cosmetics, Happy Skin and restaurants like Brotzeit, Ramen Nagi, Senor Pollo, Barcino, Sushi Nori, Saboten, Tai Koo Roast, Tipsy Pig, Tap Station, Wild Flour, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, FRNK, Cold Stone Creamery, BLK513, Uncle Moe's, Kanto Freestyle Breakfast, Samgyup MNL, Persia Grill and Tim Hortons.
You can also use them for massive ticket purchases as Ford, Vespa and Nissan dealerships in the Philippines accept payments in the form of LYKA gems.
The LYKA app also has a virtual mall called LYKA Mall where you can purchase items with their partner merchants. LYKA Mall is an e-commerce platform with the app where you can buy essential items like grocery items, load, gadgets and more.
Is it safe to use?
Data privacy has been a controversial topic online. Since free apps requires you to log in your personal information, privacy has been a concern.
On January 14, LYKA released an official statement addressing the security bug that affected iOS 14 users. According to PEP.ph, iOS 14 users were concerned that the app could access their phone's cameras and microphones even when the app is closed.
In a YouTube video posted by Cryptors Cybersecurity founder Alexis Lingad, he talked about the privacy policy of the app. Basically, while the app is free, what you give in exchange is your personal information so they will be able to track your interests, behavior and your contacts.
They will use it for targeted ads, and although that may sound harmless, some companies may mine your information. As a precaution, it is advised that you should opt to choose no when the app asks you for permission to access your SMS or camera storage.
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Written by Sieeka Khan
