The Dark Side of the Radiate App: Drug Sales, Shadow Bans

The Radiate app, marketed as a social platform for festival-goers and ravers to connect over events, has devolved into a hub for illegal activities. Users openly advertise and sell scheduled drugs in group chats, mirroring platforms like Silk Road or Pirate Bay that faced federal takedowns for facilitating illicit trade.

Widespread Drug Activity on Radiate

Reddit threads from communities like r/aves and r/electricdaisycarnival reveal consistent complaints: group chats are flooded with posts buying/selling drugs, alongside ticket scams and hookup attempts. One user described it as "90% ... people buying/selling drugs." Another noted, "The group chats now are just looking for wristbands and drugs." This isn't isolated—multiple reports span years, indicating unchecked facilitation of drug transactions.

Objectification and Uniformity in the Community

Many female users post provocative photos focusing on physical appearance ("raver women with their asses"), often in similar styles, contributing to a shallow, objectifying environment. This aligns with broader criticisms of the app prioritizing superficial interactions over genuine community building.

Founders' Responsibility

Co-founders Michael Tom and Philip Butler have built and oversee Radiate. Despite public awareness of these issues, moderation appears inadequate. Users report shadow banning—restricted posting, profile changes, and visibility in groups—without explanation, suggesting selective enforcement that fails to address core problems like drug sales.

LinkedIn profiles:

• Michael Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tom-66848b79/

• Philip Butler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-butler/ Company people directory: https://www.linkedin.com/company/radiate-inc-/people/

Legal Implications: Section 230 Limits and Potential RICO Violations

App stores like Google Play and Apple App Store prohibit apps facilitating illegal drug sales. Section 230 provides immunity for user-generated content, but it does not shield platforms that knowingly enable criminal activity (similar to cases against Silk Road). If Radiate actively ignores or profits from drug facilitation, liability could apply. Furthermore, persistent facilitation of drug trafficking could potentially trigger investigations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968), which targets enterprises engaged in patterns of racketeering activity, including drug dealing. Google and Apple should review and potentially remove the app until violations are addressed.

Personal Experience with Censorship

I've faced obvious shadow banning: unable to change my profile, send photos, or post in groups. This selective restriction highlights inconsistent moderation that targets critics while allowing illegal content to flourish.

How to Report

• DEA Tip Line: Submit anonymous reports of online drug activity at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

• Google Play Store: Open the app page > More (three dots) > Flag as inappropriate > Select reason (e.g., illegal activities) and submit.

• Apple App Store: Visit https://reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in with Apple ID, select "Report offensive, abusive, or illegal content" or similar, and describe the issue.

Radiate's founders must be held accountable for enabling this environment. Report violations to protect the community.

Suggestions: Collect screenshots of drug-related posts as evidence for reports; contact Radiate support for ban appeals; explore alternatives like Festival Mode or Eventbrite communities with stricter moderation.