Numerous individuals are seeking ways to improve their screen time management, but often lack the necessary resources. A new company, Opal, is aiming to provide a solution. Having recently secured $4.3 million in seed funding, the company has created a digital wellness assistant for iOS devices that enables users to block access to distracting websites and applications, establish app usage schedules, implement app lockdowns for dedicated focus time, and much more.

This service functions through a VPN system that restricts access to specific apps and websites. However, unlike certain other VPNs available, Opal emphasizes a commitment to protecting user privacy by refraining from collecting any personal data or private browsing information. The company states its revenue model is based on subscription fees, rather than the sale of user data.

Coinciding with its official release, Opal has announced its initial round of financing, led by Nicolas Wittenborn of Adjacent, a venture capital firm specializing in mobile applications. Additional investors include Harry Stebbings, Steve Schlafman, Alex Zubillaga, Kevin Carter, Thibaud Elziere, Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, Alban Denoyel, Isai, Secocha Ventures, Speedinvest, and others.

The concept behind Opal originated with Kenneth Schlenker, based in Paris, a seasoned technology professional who previously founded and sold an online art marketplace, ArtList, and subsequently oversaw the expansion of the mobility company Bird within France.

Schlenker, who spent his formative years in a tranquil alpine village, recounts his early fascination with technology.

“I became captivated, as many do, by the possibilities technology offers and its remarkable ability to connect people, facilitate learning, and provide countless opportunities,” he explains. “However, I’ve dedicated the last decade or more to finding a healthy equilibrium between the desire for connection and the need for disconnection.”

More recently, Schlenker observed that others were grappling with the same challenge, even those outside the technology sector. This realization motivated him to develop Opal, with the intention of assisting individuals in achieving a better life balance, allowing them to reconnect with family and friends, spend time outdoors, or simply disconnect to concentrate on other priorities.

Fundamentally, Opal’s VPN functionality allows users to temporarily block access to numerous distracting applications and websites, encompassing social media platforms, news outlets, productivity tools, and more.

Social media, in particular, has presented a significant challenge in recent years, according to Schlenker.

“Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter offer the illusion of learning and connection, which can be positive. However, maintaining intentionality can be difficult,” he explains. “It’s easy to start browsing Instagram, but before you know it, 30 minutes have passed, and you’re left feeling unproductive and wondering where the time went.”

Opal addresses this issue through a variety of features.

The free version of the service enables users to block distracting websites and apps and schedule short breaks throughout the day. A paid subscription unlocks the ability to schedule extended periods of app downtime for recurring events—such as family meals or work hours—or any other desired purpose. Users can also utilize a more restrictive feature called Focus Mode, which completely locks access to apps and cannot be easily overridden.

The company is transparent about its use of a VPN and its data handling practices.

“No private browsing data ever leaves your device,” Schlenker emphasizes. “All activity within Opal’s app remains local to your phone and is never stored on our servers or any other servers. This is a core principle for us,” he states.

Opal only collects usability and crash reports from within the app, and this data is completely anonymized to further protect user privacy. The app does not require an email address to begin using it, requesting one only if the user chooses to subscribe to a paid plan.

 

These fundamental principles are detailed on Opal’s privacy policy page, and Schlenker believes they will help the app avoid the issues faced by other screen time applications in the App Store.

Apple previously implemented restrictions on the screen time app industry, citing concerns about user privacy. This action was also viewed by some as potentially anticompetitive. Many of the affected apps were found to be employing techniques that Apple deemed risky to consumer privacy and security, granting third parties excessive access to user devices. This was particularly concerning as many of these apps were marketed as parental control tools.

Opal, however, is designed for adults and potentially teenagers seeking to improve their own screen time habits, and is not positioned as a parental control system.

Currently, Opal can block over 100 applications and websites across various categories, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube, Netflix, Twitch, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Robinhood, WhatsApp, WeChat, as well as those related to news, adult content, and gambling.

Users can block apps for short intervals—5, 10, or 60 minutes—throughout the day. They can also set an intention and timer before using an app, to help prevent losing track of time. Scheduled times can also be set to automatically restrict app usage.

Users can monitor their progress by viewing the “time saved” and share their achievements on social media. Schlenker intends to introduce a scoring system in the future to further enhance accountability.

Although development of the app began in 2020, Opal gained traction as it publicized its plans on Twitter and launched a private beta program, which expanded from hundreds to thousands of users this year, helping them save an average of two hours per day.

While Schlenker had existing relationships with many of the angel investors who have supported Opal, he notes that interest from institutional and larger investors was unsolicited.

“Our initial intention was not to raise such a substantial amount so early on,” Schlenker explains.

The funding will be allocated to expanding Opal’s team, particularly in the areas of engineering, design, and product development. The company also plans to release a version of Opal for Chrome and, subsequently, Android, and will explore the addition of social features focused on sharing and group sessions.

The app is currently available for free download on the App Store, with an optional subscription plan priced at $59.99 per year.