“Love me or hate me, it’s still an obsession,” sang the Nicki Minaj of 2006, Lady Sovereign back in the day. Eerily, these wise words now seem like a prophesy for the latest incarnation of digital interaction—say hello to the anti-social media app, Cloak.
With the tagline “incognito mode for real life,” Cloak markets itself as a way to avoid people, but it’s a tad creepy when you think about. Cloak collects data from Foursquare and Instagram (not Facebook—yet) and sends users notifications when a frenemy is lurking nearby. Theoretically, you royally rank all yer acquaintances (from a one night stand to that prissy gossipy princess from your sorority who's at your neighborhood Starbucks right now.) So, while you’re wallowing in last night’s wast-ey pants, you get a notification sent to your phone when she’s nearby (she WOULD Instagram sub par foam art, that b*tch). A map is even provided for extra clarification. You can make your escape and tend to your hangover privately. Everyone wins. Right?
Remember when we said, “it’s still an obsession?” We fear that this app will be used for the opposite: to follow. Sure, the information is on social media anyway—but the notifications sent by Cloak make tracing people that much easier. There are many kooks out there. You never know when you may meet someone, think s/he is cool, and connect over social media only to discover that this “new friend” has a secret scary side. Every year, 6.6 million Americans are stalked. That’s not a little number. Stalking doesn’t always end in violence, but it’s definitely not a risk you should take. What’s ultra creeptastic is while Cloak is marketed as a socially acceptable way to avoid people—if you saw it on someone’s phone, you’d assume that person is shy—but in reality, that person could be revealing a private obsession with hunting incognito.
Based on personal experience, I assure you that you’re lying to yourself if you think it can’t happen to you. Be careful. I’d recommend not tagging yourself at a location until after you’ve left. That cute group shot from happy hour? Share it later. Remember, Jeffrey Dahmer’s neighbors thought he "was such a nice guy."
Image: see, Little Red Riding Hood trusts a f*cking wolf. Courtesy of Wikimedia
