Sugarbook

Southeast Asian online dating service

Sugarbook
Type of site	Online dating service Social network service
Owner	Darren Chan
URL	sugarbook.com
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Yes
Launched	2016
Current status	Active

Sugarbook is an online dating service that was founded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.^[1] Sugarbook is most popular in the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines.^[2]

The site is controversial in Malaysia, the country where it was founded.^[3] On February 23, 2021, Sugarbook founder and CEO, Darren Chan was arrested by Malaysian police^[4] and put in lockup for 10 days, as authorities in the Muslim-majority country believed that Chan had violated anti-prostitution laws.^[5]

History

Sugarbook was founded by Darren Chan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016. The site focuses on connecting "sugar daddies" with "sugar babies."^[6] The "sugar babies" can register for free, while the "sugar daddies" pay membership fees to find matches.^[7]

Controversy

Formula One sponsorship

In 2018, Sugarbook had sponsored a party as part of the Singapore Tourism Board's Formula One-themed Sky Grande Prix event, but it was cancelled due to the controversial nature of the company's platform.^[8]^[9]

Arrest of founder and ban in Malaysia

On February 23, 2021, Sugarbook Founder and CEO, Darren Chan was arrested and put in lockup for 10 days.^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13] The arrest was internationally condemned, prompting attorneys and netizens to questions its legality. Chan later pleaded not guilty to the charges.^[14]

Sugarbook was also blocked by Malaysian ISPs, but users in Malaysia found ways to bypass the blocks, such as using VPNs. There was a public outcry across the Asia-Pacific region, with the media publishing articles about the controversy in Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong.^[15]

A day after the ban the company circumvented the block by using the URL sucrebook.com.^[16]^[17]

On April 4, 2021, Darren Chan spoke out about the case to VICE News.^[18] Chan's arrest also prompted coverage from the BBC, New York Post,^[19] Astro AEC, among others.

Google Play Store ban

As of September 1, 2021, Google has banned Sugarbook and a number of other sugar baby apps from its Google Play store.^[20]^[21]

References

^ "Inside the downfall of Malaysia's biggest sugar daddy platform". Rest of World. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
^ Quismundo, Tarra (2020-10-30). "Dangerous or empowering? Signups on sugar daddy dating site rise among young women in PH amid pandemic". ABS-CBN News.
^ Taery, Divya (2021-02-15). "Malaysia wants to ban SugarBook app as the number of 'sugar babies' rise". Mashable SEA. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
^ "Malaysian police arrest founder of Sugarbook, a sugar daddy dating platform". The Straits Times. February 18, 2021.
^ "Sugarbook dating app maker arrested over 'promoting prostitution'". BBC. February 18, 2021.
^ "How to Treat Sugar Babies, According to Sugar Babies". VICE. 2020-02-15.
^ "Asia's dating apps reflect a rich mix of cultures". Financial Times. 2018-08-22.
^ "'Sugar babies' sponsored party will no longer be part of STB's F1 promotion campaign". The Straits Times. September 7, 2018.
^ "How Singapore's F1 fling with sugar daddies turned sour". South China Morning Post. September 22, 2018.
^ "'Sugar Dating' App Founder Arrested in Malaysia". VICE. 2021-02-17.
^ "Why Malaysia Is Cracking Down On Online Sugar Daddies". YouTube.
^ "Founder of sugar dating platform Sugarbook arrested for 'soliciting prostitution'". Mashable SEA. February 18, 2021.
^ "Sugarbook members include 'influential people in power', claims founder". The Star.
^ "Sugarbook founder pleads not guilty in Malaysia to publishing post on 'sugar babies'". The Straits Times. February 24, 2021.
^ "Sugarbook blocked in Malaysia". The Star.
^ CoconutsKL (2021-02-16). "Sugarbook skirts ban with new name Sucrebook in URL | Coconuts KL". Coconuts. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
^ Tan, Janice (2021-02-17). "Sugarbook reportedly changes URL to avoid ban, gets clamped down again". marketing-interactive.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
^ Chen, Heather (2021-04-04). "Sugarbook Founder Speaks Out About Malaysia Ban". VICE.
^ Brown, Lee (February 18, 2021). "'Sugar daddy' dating site founder arrested twice amid prostitution, rape probes".
^ Suraya, Maya. "Google To Ban Sugar Dating Apps Starting 1 September". therakyatpost.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
^ Wong, Abel (2021-07-29). "Google Play Store policy updated, banning sugar dating apps from 1 September 2021 onwards". technave.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.