Dutch entrepreneur Nalden, a co-founder of the popular file-sharing service WeTransfer, is developing a new file transfer service called Boomerang, citing dissatisfaction with the direction WeTransfer has taken since its acquisition by Bending Spoons last year. Nalden, who co-founded WeTransfer in 2009, expressed concerns about changes implemented by Bending Spoons, a Milan-based tech firm known for acquiring and restructuring apps.
Nalden told TechCrunch that he felt updates since his departure from WeTransfer in 2019 were "basically killing the product." He specifically pointed to unclear changes in how transfer links function and the layoff of 75 employees after the acquisition. WeTransfer also faced criticism this year for initially planning to use user content to train AI models, a decision the company later reversed after backlash. "Bending Spoons doesn't really care about people. Even though I get that it is their private equity strategy," Nalden said.
The shift in WeTransfer's approach prompted creatives to reach out to Nalden with their frustrations, leading him to create Boomerang as an alternative that embodies the original simplicity-focused ethos of WeTransfer. Boomerang allows users to transfer files without requiring a login.
WeTransfer, known for its free file-sharing service used by millions globally, was acquired by Bending Spoons, a company that typically buys existing apps and restructures them for profitability. This acquisition model often involves cost-cutting measures and changes to the user experience, which can sometimes alienate the original user base.
The controversy surrounding WeTransfer's AI training data usage highlights the growing concerns among users regarding data privacy and the ethical implications of AI development. Companies are increasingly under scrutiny for how they utilize user-generated content, particularly in the context of machine learning.
Boomerang is currently in development, and further details about its features and launch date are expected to be released in the coming months. Nalden's venture aims to provide a user-friendly alternative in the file-sharing market, potentially appealing to those who feel WeTransfer has strayed from its original mission.
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