> it's part of a trend of new "social" apps whose distinguishing feature is that they don't have network effects or targeting... May I indulge in a bit more? I

> it's part of a trend of new "social" apps whose distinguishing feature is that they don't have network effects or targeting... May I indulge in a bit more? In these anonymous social apps, it is made explicitly clear that you are anonymous but traceable. It means that the service can identify your unique mobile device identity as it wishes to. You are ONLY anonymous in the eyes of the users of the app; in terms of the service provider there is NO difference.