With the rise of smartphones and location-based services, there are now several apps that allow you to see people nearby. These apps utilize your phone’s GPS and Bluetooth to detect other users in close proximity. Some people find these apps useful for socializing and meeting new people, while others may have privacy concerns. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular “people nearby” apps and discuss the capabilities, privacy implications, and use cases for each.
Tinder
One of the most well-known “people nearby” apps is Tinder. Tinder taps into your smartphone’s location services to show you profiles of other users who are geographically close to you. You can view a brief profile for each potential match and either “swipe left” if you’re not interested or “swipe right” if you want to match with them. If two users swipe right on each other, a match is made and they can start chatting.
Tinder has garnered some controversy regarding user privacy and location tracking. When you have the app open, it continually tracks your device’s precise GPS coordinates to seek out nearby users. Tinder says location data is not stored long-term and users must manually enable location services, but some privacy advocates argue users aren’t fully informed about how much location data is collected. Tinder also allows users to see each other’s distance (e.g. 342 feet away), which intensifies location tracking concerns.
That being said, Tinder remains extremely popular for dating and casual meetups. The app simplifies the process of browsing potential matches nearby and initiating conversation if both users are interested. Tinder requires a Facebook account to sign up, so you have some background info on matches before chatting with them. Overall, if you’re comfortable with Tinder’s approach to location tracking and privacy, it can be a helpful app for meeting people in your area.
Happn
Happn is another dating app that leverages your location to show you people who are physically close to you. Instead of simply showing you all users within a certain mile radius, Happn takes a timeline-based approach. It surfaces profiles of other Happn users who you’ve recently crossed paths with throughout the day. For example, if you and another user both visited the same coffee shop this morning, you’d both appear in each other’s Happn timeline for today.
The app doesn’t actively track your every movement – it just notices when you and another user are in close proximity at any given point throughout the day. If you see someone you like in your Happn timeline for the day, you can “heart” their profile to indicate you’re interested. If they heart you back, it’s a match. Happn also shows how many times you’ve crossed paths with a user, so you get a sense of when and where you’ve encountered them before.
Like Tinder, Happn leverages your device’s location services and GPS to detect other users nearby. Disabling GPS will prevent the app from working properly. Happn claims location data is anonymized and not shared with third parties. The app also states they do not create persistent user location profiles – location is only checked when the app is actively in use.
Compared to Tinder, Happn’s timeline approach gives you a bit more context into your interactions throughout the day before matching with someone. However, some users may find it unsettling to see exact details of when and where they’ve crossed paths with others unknowingly. Turning off Happn’s location access disables its key feature, so location sharing is mandatory if you want to use this app.
CMB – Come Meet Bu
CMB (Come Meet Bu) is a dating app popular in Asia that also leverages your location to facilitate in-person meetings. After creating a profile, CMB will suggest one “bagel” (match) per day at noon based on your preferences, along with showing that user’s general distance from you (e.g. 1.2 km away). If you like your daily bagel, you can indicate your interest to match with them.
Each user only receives one suggested match per day, so the experience feels more curated compared to endless swiping on some other dating apps. CMB also organizes in-person social events called “Offline Meetups” where users can gather in the same venue and mingle. The app uses your location to promote meetups happening near you.
CMB gives users more control over location sharing compared to other people nearby apps. You candisable location services entirely in the app’s settings. Even if location access is enabled, CMB only retrieves your general coordinate area – it does not pinpoint your exact current location. Users can also toggle an “invisible mode” that hides their profile from other users.
For users wary of oversharing location data but who still want dating app recommendations, CMB provides a good middle ground. The app relies less on constant GPS tracking compared to Tinder and Happn, while still incorporating general location-based suggestions. Disabling location sharing prevents match recommendations based on proximity, but in-app social events still appear.
Skout
Skout is another app that uses real-time location to facilitate meeting people nearby. When you open Skout, it shows a grid of users in your general vicinity, tapping into GPS and other location sensors. You can view each user’s profile, chat with them, and even send virtual gifts if you upgrade to Skout’s premium subscription.
In addition to the main “Buzz” section that shows nearby users, Skout also has a “Shake to Chat” feature that randomly pairs you with another user who is shaking their device at the same time. This offers a way to meet new people through the app outside of just browsing location-based profiles.
Skout gives users some control over visibility. You can easily toggle your location visibility on or off from the app’s settings. There is also a “Backstage” area where you can remain hidden from other users while still browsing profiles and chatting. However, fully disabling location access breaks core app features.
Early controversies surrounded Skout related to minors creating accounts, leading the app to ultimately prohibit users under 17. Skout also faced criticism for allowing overly broad location tracking. However, updated privacy controls have addressed some of these concerns. Overall, Skout delivers a competent nearby persons app while also enabling random video chats and enhanced profiles.
Meetup
Unlike the other apps discussed, Meetup is focused exclusively on in-person group events based on location and interests, not dating or networking. The app uses your GPS coordinates to recommend relevant Meetup groups and upcoming events near you, whether you’re interested in tech, hobbies, activism, or more. The app also sends notifications when new groups form near you.
Most interaction happens through message boards and commenting rather than one-on-one messaging. Each Meetup group has a specific purpose, so location-based recommendations are tailored to your interests and habits. Groups are also further subdivided by age, orientation, topic, and more – so recommendations can be highly targeted.
Meetup requires location permissions to serve nearby recommendations, but still gives you control over location sharing. You can disable access or limit it to only when the app is active. Group events also utilize RSVP systems rather than spontaneous drop-ins. Overall, Meetup provides a straightforward way to find local events while limiting privacy risks seen on open-ended dating apps.
Conclusion
Apps that tap into your phone’s location sensors to detect nearby people present opportunities for social encounters and discovery – but also raise substantial privacy considerations. Location access is required for core functionality, so disabling it cripples the services. But not all people nearby apps are created equal when it comes to privacy protection.
Tinder and Happn arguably engage in the most intense location tracking, while Meetup collects the least data. CMB and Skout fall somewhere in between, balancing proximity detection with privacy controls. No single app is inherently “bad” – it comes down to informed user choice based on your comfort level with location tracking in return for access to unique social features.
Here is a comparison table of key features for the apps discussed:
| App | Main Features | Privacy Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Tinder | Dating & matchmaking based on proximity | Very limited |
| Happn | Dating based on crossed paths timeline | Can disable location when not using app |
| CMB | 1 curated match per day based on preferences & proximity | Can fully disable location access |
| Skout | Browse & chat nearby users, random video pairing | Can limit location sharing to when app is active |
| Meetup | Discover & RSVP to interest-based groups & events | Location access not required at all times |
In summary, location-based apps offer new ways to connect, but each has trade-offs in privacy. Evaluate your own priorities and look for apps that align with your desired balance. With knowledge of how these apps work, you can make an informed choice.
References
[1] Tinder. “Tinder FAQ.” https://www.gotinder.com/faq
[2] Lapowsky, Issie. “How Tinder influenced the way people meet around the world.” CNN Business. https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/27/tech/tinder-online-dating-explainer/index.html
[3] Happn. “Security and confidentiality on Happn.” https://www.happn.com/privacy/
[4] Tim. “CMB Review August 2021.” Dating Cop. https://datingcop.com/blog/cmb-free-dating-app/
[5] Skout. “About us.” https://www.skout.com/about/
[6] Meetup. “Privacy.” https://www.meetup.com/privacy/
[7] Price, Rob. “How to use Tinder: Our 5 top tips for finding love on the app.” Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-tinder
[8] Tim. “Happn App Review 2022: Is it Worth Downloading?” Personaldatingapps. https://www.personaldatingapps.com/happn-dating-app-review/