5 ms·

Why people use apps website for personal stuff like that is beyond me. Just because some hip looking company is making an app/website doesn't mean it is secure

Why people use apps website for personal stuff like that is beyond me. Just because some hip looking company is making an app/website doesn't mean it is secure or good data custodian.

scrollaway 5y ago
What’s your alternative? Clearly people use the app because the app answers a user need. So what’s your answer to the user need?
- e0a74c 5y ago
  We also got laid before the invention of the smartphone, you know...
  - officeplant 5y ago
    We're also deep in a pandemic where olden times means of socialization are pretty restricted. I'm not gonna walk into a bar in 2021 to be assaulted by smoke, sound, and covid. Just the smoke and sound has been enough to keep me out of them for over a decade now.
    - e0a74c 5y ago
      Each to their own, I guess. I liked our dirty old ways and the fact that no Silicon Valley creep could spy on our intimate relations.
    - denton-scratch 5y ago
      Smoking in bars is also forbidden here. Many pubs don't play music; and in these COVID times, I often find there's just one other person in there, reading a paper.
      - officeplant 5y ago
        >I often find there's just one other person in there, reading a paper. That sounds pleasant. Smoking restrictions here vary greatly on a city by city basis. Unfortunately the bar scene in my city likes to pretend we aren't in a pandemic and only a few have decided to brave a smaller customer base and ban smoking.
  - scrollaway 5y ago
    And we also lived fulfilling lives before the invention of the smartphone, tv, printing press, sewer system or agriculture. What exactly is your point? There’s a user need. In this case it addresses the needs of a minority that’s been, until recently, highly oppressed. You don’t get to just say “things were fine before this existed”. When something imperfect solves a real problem you don’t get to just say “oh just don’t use it”, especially when it’s not a problem YOU have. Talk about privilege!
    - e0a74c 5y ago
      > You don’t get to just say (...) I get to say whatever I want to say within the confines of the law and so do you. Let's keep it that way, shall we? > What exactly is your point? That it's still possible to get laid without a shady middleman/app
  - drstewart 5y ago
    Why are you on HN instead of sharing your bad opinions with your friends in person? You have zero reason to be online, conversations existed before the internet, you know...
    - e0a74c 5y ago
- breakfastduck 5y ago
  You're suggesting that just 'not using it' is simply not an option or?
- dade_ 5y ago
  There are alternatives, but due to their bad business practices ( such as illegally collecting and selling their massive database of user data, and probably things I’d never think of) impossible to overtake. Consider existing brand awareness, and ongoing massive marketing spend.
  - hn_throwaway_99 5y ago
    I highly doubt any of the primary other gay dating apps have significantly better data collection practices.
999900000999 5y ago
I think what's particularly scary about Grindr is just how much trouble even being on an app like that can get someone in. For example, a colleague of mine is from a country where being LGBT is not really tolerated, in the United States he uses Grindr. I can imagine an oppressive government buying dating app data to blackmail their users. I noticed in the Tinder TOS thread people complaining about how impossible it is to meet folks in real life. You can still have friends, friends have friends you can go out with. I'd say from a mental health POV you should be doing social things anyway.
- morbia 5y ago
  With respect, that is easy to say when ~50% of the population is a potential partner and is easily determinable. When you are gay and the majority of guys are straight, finding partners organically is near impossible (unless you're in a gay bar or something). I'm not condoning Grindr's actions or that people shouldn't use it with care, but it really has become a key part of LGBT networking in the modern era.
  - 999900000999 5y ago
    I think it depends on where you are, the city I live in has a very large gay scene. So I've had guys just try to chat me up while I'm at a restaurant or something, I don't mind. The only time it was a bit weird is when a co-worker told me I look like his husband, not okay to say at work.
    - satyrnein 5y ago
      a co-worker told me I look like his husband A female coworker told me that once, didn't seem that weird.
    - cblconfederate 5y ago
      As you just said, it is not easy for people to meet people in a culture where looks and small talk with romantic intent is frowned upon, puts peoples jobs in danger and is generally already going extinct. Plus grindr is used for hookups, and it makes it a lot easier, something that does not have a safe equivalent in real life.
dade_ 5y ago
To get laid, now. It’s impressive in that regard.
hungryforcodes 5y ago
How else are you supposed to get laid? I don't get this comment.
- e0a74c 5y ago
  By gauging the situation and, where appropriate, behaving in a slightly playful, attentive and flirtatious manner towards anyone that catches your fancy (not limited to bar patrons btw.)
  - hungryforcodes 5y ago
    WHERE should we do this?! The whole point to Grindr is that you can meet so many people online. It's not about replacing flirting, which you're suggesting. People flirt on Grindr -- don't worry. I think you need some experience in how the hook up scene works to really understand it....
    - e0a74c 5y ago
      > I think you need some experience in how the hook up scene works to really understand it.... I suspect you're right. I remember the pre-disaster Love Parades if that's any indication of just how ancient and out of touch I probably am! :D
      - hungryforcodes 5y ago
        I hear they'll have a new one in 2022. :)

Why people use apps website for personal stuff like that is beyond me. Just because some hip looking company is making an app/website doesn't mean it is secure or good data custodian.

scrollaway 5y ago

What’s your alternative? Clearly people use the app because the app answers a user need. So what’s your answer to the user need?

e0a74c 5y ago
We also got laid before the invention of the smartphone, you know...
- officeplant 5y ago
  We're also deep in a pandemic where olden times means of socialization are pretty restricted. I'm not gonna walk into a bar in 2021 to be assaulted by smoke, sound, and covid. Just the smoke and sound has been enough to keep me out of them for over a decade now.
  - e0a74c 5y ago
    Each to their own, I guess. I liked our dirty old ways and the fact that no Silicon Valley creep could spy on our intimate relations.
  - denton-scratch 5y ago
    Smoking in bars is also forbidden here. Many pubs don't play music; and in these COVID times, I often find there's just one other person in there, reading a paper.
    - officeplant 5y ago
      >I often find there's just one other person in there, reading a paper. That sounds pleasant. Smoking restrictions here vary greatly on a city by city basis. Unfortunately the bar scene in my city likes to pretend we aren't in a pandemic and only a few have decided to brave a smaller customer base and ban smoking.
- scrollaway 5y ago
  And we also lived fulfilling lives before the invention of the smartphone, tv, printing press, sewer system or agriculture. What exactly is your point? There’s a user need. In this case it addresses the needs of a minority that’s been, until recently, highly oppressed. You don’t get to just say “things were fine before this existed”. When something imperfect solves a real problem you don’t get to just say “oh just don’t use it”, especially when it’s not a problem YOU have. Talk about privilege!
  - e0a74c 5y ago
    > You don’t get to just say (...) I get to say whatever I want to say within the confines of the law and so do you. Let's keep it that way, shall we? > What exactly is your point? That it's still possible to get laid without a shady middleman/app
- drstewart 5y ago
  Why are you on HN instead of sharing your bad opinions with your friends in person? You have zero reason to be online, conversations existed before the internet, you know...
  - e0a74c 5y ago
breakfastduck 5y ago
You're suggesting that just 'not using it' is simply not an option or?
dade_ 5y ago
There are alternatives, but due to their bad business practices ( such as illegally collecting and selling their massive database of user data, and probably things I’d never think of) impossible to overtake. Consider existing brand awareness, and ongoing massive marketing spend.
- hn_throwaway_99 5y ago
  I highly doubt any of the primary other gay dating apps have significantly better data collection practices.

999900000999 5y ago

I think what's particularly scary about Grindr is just how much trouble even being on an app like that can get someone in. For example, a colleague of mine is from a country where being LGBT is not really tolerated, in the United States he uses Grindr. I can imagine an oppressive government buying dating app data to blackmail their users. I noticed in the Tinder TOS thread people complaining about how impossible it is to meet folks in real life. You can still have friends, friends have friends you can go out with. I'd say from a mental health POV you should be doing social things anyway.

morbia 5y ago
With respect, that is easy to say when ~50% of the population is a potential partner and is easily determinable. When you are gay and the majority of guys are straight, finding partners organically is near impossible (unless you're in a gay bar or something). I'm not condoning Grindr's actions or that people shouldn't use it with care, but it really has become a key part of LGBT networking in the modern era.
- 999900000999 5y ago
  I think it depends on where you are, the city I live in has a very large gay scene. So I've had guys just try to chat me up while I'm at a restaurant or something, I don't mind. The only time it was a bit weird is when a co-worker told me I look like his husband, not okay to say at work.
  - satyrnein 5y ago
    a co-worker told me I look like his husband A female coworker told me that once, didn't seem that weird.
  - cblconfederate 5y ago
    As you just said, it is not easy for people to meet people in a culture where looks and small talk with romantic intent is frowned upon, puts peoples jobs in danger and is generally already going extinct. Plus grindr is used for hookups, and it makes it a lot easier, something that does not have a safe equivalent in real life.

dade_ 5y ago

To get laid, now. It’s impressive in that regard.

hungryforcodes 5y ago

How else are you supposed to get laid? I don't get this comment.

e0a74c 5y ago
By gauging the situation and, where appropriate, behaving in a slightly playful, attentive and flirtatious manner towards anyone that catches your fancy (not limited to bar patrons btw.)
- hungryforcodes 5y ago
  WHERE should we do this?! The whole point to Grindr is that you can meet so many people online. It's not about replacing flirting, which you're suggesting. People flirt on Grindr -- don't worry. I think you need some experience in how the hook up scene works to really understand it....
  - e0a74c 5y ago
    > I think you need some experience in how the hook up scene works to really understand it.... I suspect you're right. I remember the pre-disaster Love Parades if that's any indication of just how ancient and out of touch I probably am! :D
    - hungryforcodes 5y ago
      I hear they'll have a new one in 2022. :)