Marques Brownlee faces backlash over pricey wallpaper app

And now – I’m so pumped to be launching this app! People have asked where I get wallpapers FOREVER, so this is the answer, now and forever: PANELS!@panels_art

Available on iOS or Android https://t.co/sl7fitBKDt pic.twitter.com/b0u9h9Py6p

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) September 23, 2024

The app offers a wide selection of beautiful, high-quality digital wallpapers designed by skilled artists. However, the pricing–with subscriptions set at $50 per year or $12 per month–has sparked controversy.

The free version of the app comes with ads, and concerns have been raised over the app’s data-tracking practices, as the App Store listing reveals it may track users’ location, usage, and personal information across other apps and websites.

Despite the high expectations from fans, the tech reviewer, often criticised for harsh reviews that allegedly harmed companies like Fisker and Humane, has faced disappointment with his own venture. Many users, let down by the app’s performance, have given it poor ratings, mostly one-star reviews. While MKBHD is renowned for his expertise in critiquing products, his attempt at creating one seems to have missed the mark.

Many users on X are expressing their frustration with the app, criticising how it didn’t meet expectations. They’re pointing fingers at Marques, saying it’s easy to criticise but much harder to actually create something successful.

One user wrote, “I’ll be honest, I just lost a bit of respect for Marques,” and listed what he didn’t like in the app.

I’ll be honest, I just lost a bit of respect for Marques

-Immediately asks to track app activity
-Also tracks location
-Has terrible design and animations
-Ads are absolutely everywhere
-$50/yr subscription
-The wallpapers aren’t even that good https://t.co/4bfvHJb5jJ pic.twitter.com/OcR1qjPLvd

— Shea (@concept_central) September 24, 2024

Another user shared a meme with Joker’s quote, “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” pic.twitter.com/QXQfJv7HBX

— Joshua (@CreeCoder) September 24, 2024

A third guy wrote, “that one guy in class who lectures everyone but scores 0 in exam.”

that one guy in class who lectures everyone but scores 0 in exam pic.twitter.com/jZgoASKJo0

— bharat (@that_anokha_boy) September 24, 2024

Some other posts that caught the internet’s attention:

today marques brownlee taught us that it’s much easier to complain and criticize than to build something that people like

— vittorio (@IterIntellectus) September 24, 2024

the skill gap between the critic and the man in the arena has never been illustrated better https://t.co/jV3gkEAZzJ

— johnsterlacci (@johnsterlacci) September 24, 2024

Insane how the biggest tech reviewer who is all about “honesty” and advocating for good quality releases a cashgrab app with a laughable UI design full of ads, with mediocre wallpapers.

It just feels like Marques slapped his name onto something not worthy of his name. https://t.co/zRPVh4ED3R

— Ilya Miskov (@ilyamiskov) September 24, 2024

Brownlee’s response to criticism:

Brownlee acknowledged the concerns raised by his followers, stating, “First thing we’re doing is fixing the excessive data disclosures, as people rightfully brought up. For transparency, we’d never actually ask for your location, Internet history, etc. The data disclosures (that everyone is screenshotting) is likely too broad, and largely driven by what the ad networks suggest. Working to fix that ASAP.”