Complain About Ello - learn how to file a complaint

Since Ello and its parent company Talenthouse are defunct, there are no official channels to complain to. The table below reflects this frustrating reality.

Zero. The company doesn't exist anymore, so don't hold your breath.

Honestly, you won't get a response from Ello itself. These tips are about creating a record, not getting a reply.

• Focus on the Parent Company: Your complaint is technically with Talenthouse, the company that acquired and then shut down Ello. Use their name in any formal filings.
• Find Other Users: Check Reddit threads or old social media tags for Ello. Connecting with others can provide more information or support for group actions.
• Document Your Loss: Write down exactly what you lost. Was it a portfolio? Contact information? Years of writing? Having a specific list is more powerful than a general complaint.
• Stop Searching for Contacts: Don't waste your time. All the old support channels are dead ends. Seriously.

Since Ello is gone, you can't escalate your complaint with the company. Your only path is through external regulatory and consumer protection bodies.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC collects complaints about companies that engage in deceptive or unfair business practices, like shutting down a service and wiping user data without notice. They won't resolve your individual issue, but your complaint helps them build a case against the company's owners. Filing is your strongest move. Filing with the FTC feels like shouting into the void, but it's one of the few options left.

State Attorney General

You can file a complaint with the Attorney General's office in the state where Ello was based (it had offices in Vermont and California). Like the FTC, they investigate patterns of bad behavior. Make sure to mention the parent company, Talenthouse, in your complaint.

Since you can't email Ello, use this template to send to the FTC or your State Attorney General. It creates a formal record of your grievance.

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Ello's Shutdown & Data Loss - Former User [[Your Ello Username]]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally document my grievance regarding the abrupt shutdown of the social network Ello (ello.co) in July 2023. This is my only recourse, as all attempts to contact the company have failed.

Without any warning, the platform was taken offline, resulting in the permanent and irretrievable loss of all my data. This included years of original content, professional contacts, and a portfolio of my creative work I had stored under the username [[Your Ello Username]]. The complete lack of communication or an opportunity to archive my data is grossly negligent and has caused me significant personal and professional disruption.

To resolve this, I am filing this formal complaint to be added to any investigation into Ello or its parent company, Talenthouse. I require that this complaint be officially logged. Please be aware that this is a serious matter of a company disappearing with its users' digital property.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

• Forget Supervisors: There are no employees, let alone supervisors. Your best bet is finding online communities of other former Ello users on platforms like Reddit to share information.
• Use a Clear Subject Line: When filing with the FTC or other bodies, use a subject like "Formal Complaint: Ello / Talenthouse Sudden Shutdown and Data Loss." It gets straight to the point.
• Document Everything: Take screenshots of news articles about the shutdown. Save any old emails you have from Ello. A user on a forum mentioned this paper trail was the only thing that made them feel like they had any control.
• Try a Hail Mary: Some users have tried contacting former Talenthouse executives on LinkedIn. It's a long shot and might not work, but it's one of the few active avenues left to try.

Trying to complain to a company that doesn't even exist anymore? It's the ultimate customer service nightmare. You're left with dead-end emails and disconnected phone numbers. A total mess.

While we can't bring Ello back from the dead, Pine AI can help you take the next logical step. We can help you formally document your complaint and send it to the right regulatory bodies like the FTC. We handle the bureaucratic paperwork so you don't have to scream into the digital void alone. Sound familiar? Let us manage the official correspondence so you can focus on what matters, instead of chasing ghosts.