Evite is a social-planning

website A website (also written as a web site) is a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Examples of notable websites are Google, Facebook, Amazon, and W ...

for creating, sending, and managing

online In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed "on line" ...

invitations. The website offers digital invitations with RSVP tracking. They also offer greeting cards, announcements, eGift cards, and party planning ideas. Evite was launched in 1998 by co-founders Al Lieb and Selina Tobaccowala. Since 2020, private investors have owned Evite after two decades of ownership under media conglomerates.

Usage

Evite is primarily used as an event planning platform, offering free and Premium (paid) invitations to its 160 million annual users. Hosts can choose from thousands of digital invitations or cards, customize their choice, and send their invitations/cards via email, text or social media. Planning and gifting options (including registries) are available to add right on the invitation, and hosts and guests can message each other with updates.

Legal controversy

In 2007, Evite threatened to sue San Francisco-based startup and competitor Socializr (later acquired by Punchbowl.com) due to alleged copyright infringement.

Data breach

In July 2019, Evite data was spotted for sale online. Evite admitted that their systems were compromised and data of over 100 million accounts were stolen. According to Evite, the breach did not contain "user information more recent than 2013". The stolen data included users' real names, usernames, email addresses, passwords, dates of birth, phone numbers, and mailing addresses. Evite recommended users to change their passwords on Evite (but did not require them to do so). Also, since Evite stored plaintext passwords (not password hashes), if passwords were reused elsewhere, those accounts could be vulnerable to

credential stuffing Credential stuffing is a type of cyberattack in which the attacker collects stolen account credentials, typically consisting of lists of usernames and/or email addresses and the corresponding passwords (often from a data breach), and then uses th ...

attacks.

Popular culture references

* ''

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, ...

'': The character "Snake" responded to a fellow inmate who was unaware of an impending jailbreak: "I sent you an Evite. You never responded. Nice netiquette, jerk!" * ''Alias'': In season 4, episode 3 Jack crashes a birthday party thrown for Weiss and comments on his lack of an invitation: "Unless it was an Evite. I don't read Evites." * ''

The Office ''The Office'' is a mockumentary sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, first made in the United Kingdom, then Germany, and subsequently the United States. It has since been remade in ten other countries. The original ser ...

'': In "

Email Surveillance "Email Surveillance" is the ninth episode of the second season of the American comedy television series ''The Office'', and the show's fifteenth episode overall. Written by Jennifer Celotta, and directed by Paul Feig, the episode first aired ...

", Jim Halpert sends Evites to his coworkers to a barbecue at his house, excluding regional manager Michael Scott from the guest list. "Wonder where my eVitation is?" Scott ponders aloud. In season 5, Michael creates his own paper company in the same building as the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch. He sends out an Evite for their pancake luncheon. * ''

Family Guy ''Family Guy'' is an American animated sitcom originally conceived and created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show centers around the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their ch ...

:'' episode "

You Can't Do That on Television, Peter The tenth season of ''Family Guy'' premiered on the Fox network from September 25, 2011, to May 20, 2012 with a one-hour broadcast of two episodes. The series follows the Griffin family, a dysfunctional family consisting of father Peter, mother Lo ...

", criticized Evite in a cutaway gag.

References

External links

* {{Liberty Interactive IAC (company) Online companies of the United States Social planning websites Online companies of Germany Online companies of France Internet properties established in 1998 2001 mergers and acquisitions 2010 mergers and acquisitions