Venmo's redesigned app offers more discreet payments by default

Source: Engadget

Privacy Improvements

Venmo is redesigning itself to become the “go‑to money movement app of the next generation,” and part of that evolution is introducing new privacy measures. As first spotted by The Verge, the revamp welcomes new users with a default setting that makes posts visible only to friends. Previously, onboarding defaulted to public posts, allowing anyone to see details such as how much pizza or coffee you were buying with friends.

For even more privacy, Venmo lets you change the visibility option to “just me.” This is a welcome change for a mobile‑payment app that has faced privacy issues in the past, such as when BuzzFeed News discovered former President Joe Biden’s friend list because it was public. While Venmo later added an option to hide your friend list (Engadget), it’s unclear whether the latest redesign will also default the friend list to private.

New Feed Features

Beyond the improved privacy settings, the redesign includes a revamped feed that adds the convenience of reacting to payments and quick actions like “Pay Again” or “Say Thanks.” The app also introduces a “Give a Shoutout” button to help promote local businesses.

Rollout Timeline

The new Venmo redesign is rolling out to users starting this week, with additional features planned over the next few months. The full revamp is expected to be available by the fall, according to TechCrunch.