Sex on the Run: GPS Tools, Social Media, and "Hooking Up"

This wiki article was created for LIBR 559M, "Social Media for Information Professionals." Its contributors are Mark MacKichan and Taylor Cole.

Overview

In recent years, the social, participatory nature of the Web has given rise to online dating. Currently, one in every five relationships begins online, and one in four of all online daters have found either a long-term relationship or spouse (Siner, 2013). Not surprisingly, this same phenomenon carries over into the realm of mobile applications. The geolocation functionality of many mobile devices allows users to find potential dates and hook-ups based on factors including appearance, common interests, and above all, proximity. These applications allow people to quickly and conveniently seek out potential matches over a virtual platform.

Popular Hook-Up Applications

Grindr

Grindr is a popular dating and hook-up application serving the gay male community. It uses the geolocation capabilities of various mobile devices to match users based on proximity. Grindr has experienced a high degree of success, and currently has a user-base of more than five million men from 192 countries worldwide (Grindr, 2015). It is currently supported on Android, iOS, and BlackBerry OS devices.

Joel Simkhai first launched Grindr in 2009 (Lavallee, 2009). He believes that most online dating platforms diminish the importance of proximity in creating successful user matches. As a result, Grindr’s mission is to bring people “0 feet away” from one another (Grindr, 2015). Simkhai explains that this involves bringing matches into the same physical space, so that they are able to cultivate an in-person, rather than virtual, connection (Grinder, 2015).

Grindr implements a freemium business model. While users can download a free version of the app, Grindr Xtra provides advanced matching capabilities and an ad-free interface for a small monthly fee (Lavallee, 2009).

To begin using Grindr, members simply download the app, and then set up a profile with a photo, tagline, and basic personal information (Johnson, 2015). They can also list associated “tribes,” including Bear, Clean-Cut, Daddy, Discreet, Geek, Jock, Leather, Otter, Poz, Rugged, Trans, and Twink (Hernandez, 2014). Grindr protects the privacy of users by displaying their distance from other users in terms of “feet” or “meters away,” rather than disclosing their actual GPS coordinates (Kincaid, 2009). Users peruse the profiles of other nearby users, and have the option to begin chatting with people they find attractive. Users are then given the option to reveal their precise locations after connecting virtually with a match (Kincaid, 2009).

Tinder

Tinder is another dating and hook-up application that matches users based on geolocation (About Tinder, n.d.). It was launched in 2012 by creators Sean Rad, Justin Mateen, and Jonathan Badeen (Sichel, 2014). Tinder functions similarly to Grindr, but targets straight people as its main user group. Tinder has also experienced a high degree of popularity, and currently has more than ten million daily users. It is supported on iOS and Android-compatible devices (Brewis, 2015).

To get started with Tinder, users first download the free app and create profiles containing a photo and basic personal information. They then specify the age-range and gender of people they would like to meet (Brewis, 2015). Users can also log in with their Facebook accounts, which allows Tinder to analyze their social graphs and suggest matches based on parameters such as mutual friends and shared interests (Brewis, 2015).

Tinder connects members through showing users the profile pictures of possible matches. Users can “like” matches, by touching a heart-icon, or “dislike” matches, by swiping the card away (Brewis, 2015). Users can also “rate” one another based on physical appearance. When two users “like” each other, they can chat and exchange photos over the platform (Brewis, 2015).

Pure

Pure is a GPS-based mobile application that fosters immediate, no-strings-attached hook-up opportunities for users (Dellinger, 2013). One unique feature of this app is that user profiles are only visible for one hour after each sign-in, which provides users with a heightened sense of privacy.

SCRUFF

SCRUFF is another app that provides dating, friendship, and hook-up matching for gay men. SCRUFF is arguably Grindr’s primary competition (Shea, 2013).

Advocacy and Awareness

In addition to the use of dating apps to meet people, a number of other positive outcomes in the area of advocacy and awareness have resulted from these tools. For example, Grindr has launched a successful initiative called Grindr for Equality. Leveraging its ability to reach out to millions of users, Grindr employs its geo-targeting software to send out messages to users alerting them to LGBT-related events in their area. As a result, this technology raises awareness of local initiatives and contributes to the fight for equality (Grindr, n.d.) Additionally, Grindr has worked with public health organizations and other groups to important issues related to sexual health, such as HIV/STI prevention and testing (Kirby and Thornber-Dunwell, 2014).

Advocacy groups have also started to use dating apps to raise awareness for key causes. For example, the Immigration Council of Ireland launched an advocacy campaign using Tinder to raise awareness of sex trafficking. Tinder users in Ireland may happen upon fake profiles featuring graphic pictures of sex trafficking victims. After swiping through some of these pictures, users come upon a message directing them to an email form they can send to politicians to promote protective legislation (O'Neil, 2014). Amnesty International has also partnered with Tinder in support of women's rights (Amnesty International, 2014).

Issues and Controversies

Despite the popularity of dating apps, several related controversies have arisen. For example, security issues have posed a legitimate concern for the users of dating apps. In July 2013, Tinder became aware of a security vulnerability in their system. With rudimentary hacking skills, individuals could ascertain the exact latitude and longitude coordinate for any Tinder user. Though Tinder fixed this vulnerability, there is no authentication infrastructure that would guarantee the safety of user data. As a result, security threats remain a continued possibility (Kosner, 2014).

Racism and other forms have prejudice comprise another issue. Dating profiles on these apps frequently contain non-inclusive language on user profiles, such as "No Asian, No Indian, No Latino, No Black, No Fat, under 30 years old” (Bielski, 2012). These attitudes impact the experience of app users belonging to visible minority groups. For example, a blogger conducted an experiment to explore the racial prejudices of Grindr users. Using two fake Grindr profiles—one designated as white and the other as Asian—he found that the white profile receive one and a half to two times as many responses from other users. This experiment speaks to the challenges experienced by dating app users belonging to visible minority groups (Angry Homosexual, 2014).

References

About Tinder. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.gotinder.com/about.

Amnesty International. (2014). Tinder makes another match: uniting with Amnesty International for a good cause. Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/34082/

Angry Homosexual. (2014). The Asian vs White Grindr experiment: Why it’s great to be White! Retrieved from http://angryhomosexual.com/asian-vs-white-grindr-experiment-why-its-great-to-be-white/

Bielski, Zosia. (2012). 'No Asian. No Indian': Picky dater or racist dater? The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/no-asian-no-indian-picky-dater-or-racist-dater/article548736/

Brewis, M. (Jan 5, 2015). What is Tinder: How Does Tinder Work; Tinder FAQ. Retrieved from http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/features/internet/3515013/what-is-tinder/.

Dellinger, A.J. (Nov. 8, 2013). This App May Dethrone Tinder as the Fastest Way to Hook Up with Strangers. Retrieved from http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/pure-dating-app-just-for-hook-ups/.

Grindr. (n.d.). Grindr for Equality. Retrieved from http://grindr.com/equality

Grindr: The World’s Biggest Mobile Network of Guys. (2015). Retrieved from http://grindr.com/learn-more.

Hernandez, J. (Feb. 25, 2014). Dating Tribes: Helpful or a Hindrance? Retrieved from http://www.advocate.com/health/love-and-sex/2014/02/25/grindr-tribes-helpful-or-hindrance.

Johnson, R. (2015). How To Use Grindr. Retrieved from http://gaylife.about.com/od/tech/ht/How-To-Use-Grindr.htm.

Kincaid, J. (2009, Mar. 25). Gay Dating Makes Its Way To The iPhone. Retrieved from http://techcrunch.com/2009/03/25/gay-dating-makes-its-way-to-the-iphone/.

Kirby, Tony, & Thornber-Dunwell, Michelle. (2014). Phone apps could help promote sexual health in MSM. ClinicalKey, 384. Retrieved from https://www-clinicalkey-com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/#!/content/playContent/1-s2.0-S0140673614618493

Kosner, Anthony Wing. (2014). Tinder Dating App Users Are Playing With Privacy Fire. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2014/02/18/tinder-dating-app-users-are-playing-with-privacy-fire/

Lavallee, A. (2009, Aug. 17). App Watch: Grindr Says It’s More Than a Hook-Up Service. Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/08/17/app-watch-grindr-says-its-more-than-a-hook-up-service/.

O'Neill, Lauren. (2014, Nov. 7). Tinder profiles feature sex trafficking victims as part of powerful awareness campaign. CBC. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/11/tinder-profiles-feature-sex-trafficking-victims-as-part-of-powerful-awareness-campaign.html

Shea, R. (Mar. 7, 2013). Why SCRUFF>Grindr, for So Many Reasons. Retrieved from http://www.manhattandigest.com/2013/03/07/why-scruff-grindr-for-so-many-reasons/.

Sichel, J. (Aug. 27, 2014). Meet the Jewish Founders of Tinder. Retrieved from http://www.jewishjournal.com/culture/article/meet_the_jewish_founders_of_tinder.

Siner, E. (Oct. 21, 2013). Online Dating Is On The Rise (But There Are Still Haters). Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/10/21/239084643/online-dating-is-on-the-rise-but-there-are-still-haters.