Hallow App Controversy: Why Some Users Call It a 'Money Grab'—And Why It's Banned in Some Countries

In the ever-expanding world of digital devotion, the Hallow app has carved out a significant niche. Yet, beneath its serene surface, a storm of controversy brews. Many users are questioning its financial practices, labelling it a 'money grab', while some countries have outright banned the application.

Hallow app, offering guidance for prayer and meditation via mobile phones, has achieved widespread popularity online.

As of April, Hallow's creators reported their app had been downloaded 22 million times across more than 150 countries.

The Rise of Hallow: A Digital Revival?

For some, this achievement signals a revival of Christianity in Western countries, following decades of declining engagement, as tech-savvy younger generations embrace faith. The app facilitates users' spiritual journeys by offering guided prayers, sacred music, and various spiritual content, including bedtime stories, religious talks, and chants.

The app's success has also been boosted by endorsements from well-known figures such as Mark Wahlberg, Chris Pratt, Gwen Stefani, and Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus Christ in The Chosen. However, Hallow's journey has not been without its share of disagreements.

The 'Money Grab' Allegations and Ethical Questions

The app has faced bans in certain countries, and its substantial annual subscription fee of $70 has drawn sharp criticism, with detractors accusing CEO and founder Alex Jones of being a greedy profiteer.

One Catholic user expressed their unease, stating, 'I couldn't help but feel a certain discomfort with the way the ads utilise religious elements to sell their services. It seems to walk a fine line between genuine spiritual guidance and commercial exploitation of faith.' Critics have also called out its ties to celebrities with dubious moral records.

Beyond the debates around its commercial strategies and partnerships, Hallow has also encountered significant hurdles on a global scale. This includes its removal from app stores in certain regions, such as China, and the European Union's efforts to limit its citizens' access to the platform.

Banned in China: A Contentious Removal

Last year, the prominent US-based Catholic application Hallow was removed from the Apple App Store in China. On a Monday, the app's founder, Alex Jones, announced on social media that it had been 'kicked out' for containing 'illegal' content.

Expressing his concern for those in the region, the top executive added: 'Praying for all the Christians in China.'

Jones conveyed via email to CNA that the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) had informed him of Hallow's removal due to the app being 'deemed to include content on the app that is illegal in China and so must be removed,' without offering further specifics.

He estimated the number of Catholic app users in China to be 'well into the thousands,' though precise figures were unavailable. According to one study by the PEW Research Center, China's Catholic population reached a peak of 12 million in 2005.

'We will continue to try and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ in China as best we can through our website, web application, social media content, but mostly with our prayers,' Jones said.

EU Restrictions: The Data Privacy Debate

Shortly after China removed Hallow from its app store in July 2024, Jones announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the European Union (EU) would also no longer permit its citizens to access the app.

Jones elaborated that "over-regulation" specifically targeting all religious applications would render Hallow's operation in the EU impossible. In his message, Jones conveyed his deep disappointment at this development, particularly as Hallow had been actively working on expanding its content for Polish, French, Italian, and German audiences.

While the precise reasons for the app's discontinuation in Europe remain largely unclear, some observers suggest the EU's stringent data privacy regulations are a contributing factor. EU law designates data revealing religious or philosophical beliefs as 'sensitive' and generally prohibits its processing without explicit consent, with only a few limited exceptions.

However, some organisations are preparing to come to the app's defence. ADF International, a global legal body dedicated to safeguarding free speech and religious liberty, responded to Jones on X, urging him to 'DM them with more details,' indicating they 'might be able to help.'

Hallow, launched in 2018, offers audio-guided Catholic devotional content. The app states it has accumulated over 14 million downloads across more than 150 countries. In February, for the first time, Hallow briefly rose to the top of the app store charts, surpassing all other applications across various categories.