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Path adds new privacy features and Premium subscription in 3.2 update, announces Deutsche Telekom partnership

One of the benefits of Path when compared to social networks like Facebook and Twitter is that it's more private than public. It's only accessible via mobile app and the service limits you to 150 friends to encourage you to add just the people you know. Yet, it's suffered a bit of privacy-related backlash due to the occasional hiccup and a private messaging feature that wasn't so private. However, the latest 3.2 version of Path might rectify that perception -- it's added two features called Private Sharing and Inner Circle that lets users have more control over who sees their content. We'll detail those along with a new Path Premium subscription model and a partnership with Deutsche Telekom after the break.

Private Sharing works a little like G+ and Facebook in that it lets you share moments with just a few people. To share something confidential, simply tap the lock button at the corner and you'll be prompted to choose who amongst your friends you want in on your private moment. You can add as many or as few people as you wish. Your pals will know they're in on your secret if they see a lock at the top right corner instead of the usual smiley. However, do note that they'll be able to see who else is in on your little tête-à-tête, as it'll have a row of avatar icons of the people who've been added. Additionally, you'll be able to tell who amongst your chosen mates have seen your moment -- greyed out avatars mean they haven't.

Path 32 adds Private Sharing and Inner Circle, introduces Premium subscriptions

Inner Circle works the same way as Private Sharing, except it's reserved for your very closest friends. First, you select your Inner Circle by tapping the star next to their names in your friends list. Then every time you want to share something to this tight-knit group of buddies, you can tap the star icon instead of having to re-pick their names. Just like the lock icon in Private Sharing, friends will know they're in your Inner Circle by the star icon at the corner. You may filter your home feed to only show updates from your Inner Circle mates and even change your phone's settings to get Inner Circle notifications.

To top off the 3.2 update, Path also introduced a new Premium subscription model. Currently, Path users have to pay for stickers and certain photo filters. Premium subscribers, on the other hand, will get instant and unlimited access to all filters and stickers. They'll also get early access to new Shop items, though free users will get them eventually. Subscription models differ by platform. On iOS, users can either pay $4.99 for three months or $14.99 for twelve. Because Path is considered a social networking app and not a publication, the subscription will not auto-renew. On Android, you can opt for either $1.99 a month or $14.99 a year, and auto-renew is the default. According to a spokesperson, the Premium model was designed to support Path's ad-free network and philosophy.

Path 32 adds Private Sharing and Inner Circle, introduces Premium subscriptions

And that's not all. Path also announced a partnership with Deutsche Telekom, bringing its social network into the hands of several of its subscribers. Starting today, Path will be preloaded on all HTC G3, LG G2, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and X Cover 2 handsets offered by DT. To commemorate the deal, the German company is offering a free year of Path Premium to all of its subscribers. This is Path's biggest carrier partnership to-date -- it already has a deal with Virgin Mobile where the app is pre-installed on all of the prepaid provider's phones.

Of course, you don't need to be on either of those carriers to get a look at the new app. Whether you're a Path die-hard or you just want to take a look at the latest privacy features, you can download the latest update from the appropriate app store links below.