# MSQRD

> Facebook bought MSQRD, the face-mask app that led free iOS charts in 16 countries.

- Owner: Masquerade Technologies; acquired by Facebook
- Kind: App & software
- Sector: Technology
- Seed date: 2015-12-17
- Peak date: Week of Mar 9, 2016
- Date basis: Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
- Spread Score: 53 (Notable, provisional), v1.2
- Mechanics: Shareable output, Low-effort copy, Platform jump, Press loop, Newsjacking

## Summary

MSQRD released live selfie masks in December. Celebrity Instagram videos and TV demonstrations carried them to new audiences. Facebook bought Masquerade in March, when the app led free iOS charts in 16 countries; the standalone app was later closed.

## Timeline

- Nov 2015 — MSQRD / Garage48 (Open web) — The team presented a prototype at a Minsk hackathon and won Garage48’s overall prize.
- 2015-12-17 — Masquerade Technologies (App stores) — MSQRD’s iOS app was released with live masks for selfie photos and videos.
- 2015-12-20 — German App Store users (App stores) — MSQRD became available in Germany’s App Store, according to appgefahren.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/msqrd

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “MSQRD.” Case HIS-00305. Spread Score v1.2: 53/100. Updated 2026-10-13. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-00305