Venmo tests major app redesign shifting default privacy to friends-only
New users will see posts default to friends-only visibility, while existing accounts retain the ability to adjust settings within the updated platform.
Venmo is currently testing a significant application redesign that alters the default privacy settings for new users. Under this new system, posts will default to being visible only to friends, rather than being public by default. This update aims to improve user trust and provide greater control over shared financial information as the platform evolves.
The redesign introduces a new onboarding flow specifically designed to enforce the friends-only default for new accounts. During this process, users retain the ability to manually set posts to public or private if they choose. Existing users can also adjust these preferences in their settings, ensuring flexibility while the company implements stricter defaults for incoming accounts.
An updated sending screen will now display the visibility status, whether private, friends-only, or public, before a transaction is completed. This transparency allows users to make informed decisions before sharing financial details. The changes are in service of giving users more visibility and control over what they share, according to Alexis Sowa, the SVP and GM of Venmo.
The redesign is rolling out in stages, beginning with a new feed look on iOS and Android over the coming weeks. It remains unclear exactly which stage of the rollout will include the new onboarding process that enforces the friends-only default, as Venmo has not yet confirmed this specific timeline. Future updates will introduce three new app surfaces: Send, Money, and Rewards.
These new features are designed to address broader consumer needs beyond simple bill-splitting, including saving, borrowing, and investing. The Send surface will focus on close friends, groups, and gifting, while the Money tab will handle crypto and linking apps. The Rewards surface will allow users to track cash back from the rewards program.
This strategic shift aligns with PayPal's broader direction and coincides with broader industry competition from fintech apps like Verse, Daylight, and Revolut. These rivals already offer integrated social spending tracking and chat features, setting high expectations for the next generation of fintech applications.
The move comes after significant scrutiny regarding privacy in the past, notably in 2021 when BuzzFeed News exposed President Joe Biden's account and those of his inner circle due to the inability to keep contacts private at the time. Venmo fixed that issue soon after, but this comprehensive redesign marks a more fundamental approach to user data and platform structure.
