Clubhouse Gathering 'Inssa' Users, Nearly 200,000 Korean Users

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] A survey revealed that the number of domestic users of the audio social networking service (SNS) 'Clubhouse' is approaching 200,000.

The mobile data analysis platform 'App Annie' announced on the 23rd that the number of Clubhouse downloads in South Korea reached 195,000 as of the 16th.

The global number of downloads reached 8.1 million. By country, the United States recorded 2.6 million downloads, Japan 1.4 million, Germany 625,000, and Brazil 450,000.

Clubhouse was ranked 921st in overall iOS app downloads in South Korea on the 31st of last month, but achieved first place overall just ten days later on the 9th.

In the social networking app rankings, it has held the number one position for fifteen days as of the 21st.

With explosive downloads worldwide, Clubhouse rose to third place in the global social networking download rankings, following WhatsApp and Facebook.

App Annie analyzed, "As the pandemic continues, consumers have used SNS apps as their main communication channel, which has expanded the market. This expansion has led to the emergence of new platforms like Clubhouse."

Clubhouse is a voice SNS launched in April last year by the US startup 'Alpha Exploration' and is currently only available on iOS. With appearances by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, Clubhouse is regarded as an SNS for 'insiders' (a shortened form of insider).

Meanwhile, some have raised concerns about discrimination and hate issues related to the rapidly growing Clubhouse.

The National Information Society Agency (NIA) of Korea evaluated Clubhouse in its analysis report released that day as "an opportunity to confirm the potential of a new non-face-to-face communication method based on audio formats in the new normal era."

However, NIA pointed out, "Due to its one-time and closed service method, issues such as discrimination and hate continue to be raised," and emphasized, "New guidelines are needed to address these problems."