Here's What Users Dislike About The Happn Dating App
When it comes to dating apps, there seems to be no end in sight. Just when you think you've found the right one, another one comes along promising even better matches, better results, and for those who are looking for it, true love.
Dating apps are big business. In the US alone, they made a whopping $602 million in 2020, with projections of making $755 million by 2024, via Statista. And they make those bucks off the 44.2 million users, a number that's estimated to reach 53.3 million by the year 2025, via Statista.
If that many people are using dating apps, then it's safe to assume there's an app for everyone out there. Farmers Only, anyone?
One app that's become popular in the last few years is Happn. Happn takes that missed connection concept and digitalizes it, because it shows you who you've passed throughout the day. So if you pass some cutie patootie on your way to work, but didn't have the nerve to go up to them, with Happn (if they have it too), they'll pop up because you've crossed paths, via Mashable.
But like all dating apps, it's not perfect and not everyone loves it.
It could lead to stalking
While Happn is great because it lets you see whose paths you've crossed, if you keep crossing paths with the same person on the same street over and over again, it can become pretty easy to deduce where they live, via The Courier Mail. If this happens, then there could be a serious stalking issue.
"Tinder uses location when it shows you that the person is five or 10km away but that's not like this where it is tracking movement — this is particularly creepy," police officer for 27 years turned cyber safety expert Susan McLean tells The Courier Mail. "It's dangerous and absolutely has a huge potential to become an issue. There are just so many ways in which this can be misused."
Although one would like to hope that no one would open their door to a stranger, if that stranger is a 6'4" tall man clocking in at 250 pounds, and he's pushing himself inside the home of a woman who doesn't have that height and weight on her side, it can be really scary. And, as McLean points out "dangerous."
It can put you in an awkward situation
In addition to someone possibly finding out where you live, Happn shows you who's near you at that very moment. Like, really near you — as in, say, 800 feet away, via VPN Overview.
"Happn uses hyper-location and works in real time," Happn founder Didier Rappaport tells Business Insider UK.
You could be at the bar with your friends, checking out Happn, when you discover that someone is in the same bar as you and they recognize you from the app and they approach you! Suddenly, a Friday night out with your friends becomes an evening of dodging someone you wouldn't have "hearted" in the first place.
To avoid such situations, you can turn off your location or use a fake location app so your exact whereabouts are protected.
In theory, Happn does have a level of romance. Crossing paths with someone who might be the one has all the makings of a Nora Ephron type rom-com. But it could be dangerous — but all dating apps can be. Tinder has been used more than a few times by predators to rape and kill people, via The New York Times.
Ultimately, no matter if you're on Happn, Tinder, Bumble, or any of the other dating apps, it comes down to taking measures that keep you safe, being aware of your surroundings, and recognizing you may not fully know the person you're going on a date with. Be careful!