You do not need the anti-social app Cloak to avoid friends

Martin Brinkmann
Mar 20, 2014
Updated • Mar 20, 2014
Mobile Computing
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We are living in a connected world. If you are an average computer user, chance is you have accounts on at least one social networking site. If you own a smartphone, you may also use social apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp or Twitter on your smartphone.

Depending on how you use those services, you may have connections to some, an average amount or a lot of people.

So, Cloak is a new application for iOS that is making the rounds. It is free at the time of writing, and supports Instagram and Foursquare right now.

Its main feature is that it will let you know where friends on those supported networks are, so that you can avoid them. It supports the flagging of people, so that you are only informed about them and not everyone on your contact list.

An anti-social app for the times where you want to be left alone, or want to avoid specific people of your network.

It displays the location of friends on those networks on a map, so that you know where they are, and where you should not go to run into them.

Issues

Cloak may work well if all of the people that you do not want to run into use either FourSquare or Instagram. If they do not, it does not really help you at all.

It also won't help you if those contacts have disabled the sending of information to the cloud, or at least information about their current location.

This means that you will only see a subset of contacts on the map at all times.

Even if the developer adds more networks to the app, say Facebook and Twitter, it will remain a subset of all possible contacts and not a complete real-time representation of all of them on the map.

You can still run into them. If they do not have an Internet connection at the time of writing, if their phone went out of battery, if they forgot their phone in office, or  if they do not even use any of the supported services.

And even if you use the app, you can still miss a notification that someone is coming nearer. And what do you do if you are eating in a restaurant and notice that someone else approaches it? Pay your bill and get out the back door?

This app should have its appeal to me. I'm an introvert, I do not like to chat about meaningless things, and need alone time to recharge, but even I would not use it even if the app would show all my friends and contacts on the map at all time. But then, I'm probably not the target of that app, as I configure all social accounts to block certain information from being pushed out to the cloud.

Depending on where you live, the chance of running into someone may not be that high. And if you do run into a contact that you do not want to interact with, why not just tell them that you are busy and do not have time to chat.

Closing Words

Do we need anti-social apps to counter the ever growing presence of social networks in our life?  I think that many users need to change how they use social networking sites, and how they push out information to the cloud, and that telling people that you need some alone time is often the better option than using an app to avoid running into them in the first place.

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Comments

  1. Rush said on August 28, 2023 at 9:50 pm
    Reply

    If Nothing OS is nothing more that an overlay with Google still in the midst….then I ain’t interested.

    1. Seeprime said on September 12, 2023 at 4:12 pm
      Reply

      Another unrelated comment older than the article. Pathetic.

      1. Robenroute said on September 13, 2023 at 9:06 am
        Reply

        it is becoming mindbogglingly annoying indeed…

  2. ThisIsTheWayTheGhacksEnds said on September 13, 2023 at 9:09 am
    Reply

    Under: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/12/iphone-15-with-usb-c-port/

    Apple was forced to add USB-C to a phone and the maccultists start talking about “revolution” and “paradigm shift” (as if USB phones had never come out before). It’s so ridiculous it’s reminiscent of comedians doing the “stepped on a water hose” stunt – that was at least somehow funny a hundred years ago.
    Reading this on a site that used to be a technical resource is especially ridiculous.
    How pathetic

  3. Anonymous said on September 14, 2023 at 4:28 pm
    Reply

    “An iPhone 15 with a USB-C port will mean more than you think”

    That Apple can finally stop hindering progress if spanked hard enough ?

  4. Alex Hales said on September 21, 2023 at 12:51 am
    Reply

    I’m thrilled to see Instagram taking steps to enhance the user experience with features like Live Activities. This update is a game-changer, especially for those who frequently upload content on the platform.

    The ability to track upload progress in the background is a simple yet incredibly useful addition. It not only keeps users informed about the status of their uploads but also allows for a more seamless experience on the platform. No more constantly checking if your post has successfully uploaded or worrying about interrupted uploads due to a weak signal.

    As an active Instagram user, this feature is a relief. It showcases Instagram’s commitment to improving user satisfaction and addressing common pain points. It’s all about making the platform more user-friendly, and this feature certainly accomplishes that.

    I can’t wait to try out Live Activities and enjoy a stress-free posting experience. Kudos to Instagram for continually innovating and making our social media lives easier!

    Keep up the great work, Instagram, and thanks to ghacks for keeping us in the loop with the latest tech updates!

    I am additionally add one more think if you want to watch instagram stories anonymously to visit site storysnooper.com.

  5. Alex Hales said on September 25, 2023 at 6:02 pm
    Reply

    I found this post really insightful! It’s always intriguing to learn about the various ways we can navigate and understand social media platforms. The idea of checking someone’s Threads following list might seem like a niche topic, but in today’s digital age, it can be quite relevant.

    As someone who uses social media regularly, I appreciate the tips and guidance provided here. It’s not just about curiosity; it’s also about understanding our online connections better. This information can help us engage more effectively and stay updated with the content that interests us the most.

    The step-by-step instructions provided in the article are clear and easy to follow. It’s great that the author has taken the time to break down the process, making it accessible to both tech-savvy individuals and those who might not be as familiar with these platforms.

    I also appreciate the emphasis on privacy and ethics. It’s essential to remember that online interactions should always respect the boundaries and consent of others. The article’s focus on respecting others’ privacy is a reminder of the importance of responsible online behavior.

    Overall, this post is a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand more about the Threads following list on social media platforms. I’ll definitely be sharing this with my friends and followers who might find it useful. Keep up the great work, ghacks!

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