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Recon (app)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Recon
Developer(s)T101
Initial release1999
Operating systemiOS, Android, Web
TypeDating app
Websitewww.recon.com

Recon is a location-based online dating application and service specifically for gay men interested in fetish and kink.[1] It launched as a website in 1999,[2][3] and as an iOS app in 2010.[4] It has 189,000 active users as of 2018.[3]

Recon allows users to create a profile, communicate with other members through private messages, and filters members by location and interests.[5] Recon started as a website, with some features, such as the ability to view a user's public x-rated photos, solely available on the website due to Apple's policy on adult content.[6]

One notable feature is the ability to filter members by their declared fetishes and kinks.[5] The broad categories include bondage,[7] fisting,[8] leather,[9] rubber, bears,[8] bikers, chastity, suits,[10] feet, gunge,[8] watersports,[8] and sports gear.

Recon is owned and operated by T101, the company who also produce Fetish Week London.[11][12]

Events and publications

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Recon produces a number of fetish events for members and non-members, in cities including London[13] and Paris.

Recon has produced two issues of a magazine, with high-quality photography and articles from the fetish community, which is distributed for free at gay venues.[14][15]

Controversies

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Effect on leather bars, sex clubs and saunas

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Some have claimed that gay dating apps have a negative impact on local businesses such as gay bars, and that Recon's widespread usage[16][17] by fetishmen has reduced business in leather bars, sex clubs and saunas.[18][19] However, many businesses actively promote their businesses on Recon to appeal to local customers.

Location data leaks

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In 2019, researchers at Pen Test Partners demonstrated to BBC News how it was possible to locate the exact location of a Recon user without their consent, along with users of other apps, through a process of trilateration. However, Recon was praised for taking immediate steps to rectify the fault much faster than some other apps.[20][21]

References

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  1. ^ Martel, Frédéric. "Grindr, blackmail and confession: The life of a gay seminarian". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  2. ^ Hudson, David (2016-01-12). "Recon Gay Dating App launch ad campaign on phoneboxes". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  3. ^ a b "Recon Advertising Guide" (PDF). T101. 2018.
  4. ^ "Gay Fetish Site Recon.com launches iPhone app". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  5. ^ a b "There's a gay fetish app that holds events all around the world". PinkNews. 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  6. ^ Fox, Chris (2019-01-30). "Gay dating app Scruff bans underwear pics". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  7. ^ Savage, Dan (5 September 2018). "'Help, my Recon hookup said no thanks after I'd blown $40 on rope and duct tape!'". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  8. ^ a b c d "Kinky Dating App | Recon Review". Fetish.com. 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  9. ^ AnotherMan (13 February 2019). "The Sexy, Secret History of Leather Fetish Fashion". AnotherMan. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  10. ^ "There's a growing community who are thirsty for Dominic Raab and he doesn't deserve a jot of it". British GQ. June 2019. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  11. ^ "T101 - Creating Deeper Connections". t101.com. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  12. ^ Team, Q. X. (2019-06-26). "QX GUIDE: Fetish Week London". QX Magazine. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  13. ^ "Recon London – Boyz". Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  14. ^ ras (2 March 2020). "Fetish Focus: Confidence in Gear - Recon team member: OhBilly". QXMen.com. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  15. ^ "RECON, Issue_02". www.regulation.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  16. ^ Savage, Dan (7 February 2018). "How does one get into the gay BDSM bottoming scene?". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  17. ^ "Savage Love: Bondage is the great gay-tribe unifier". The Georgia Straight. 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  18. ^ Siddons, Edward (2018-10-04). "Why is the gay leather scene dying?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  19. ^ "This Crew Is Keeping London's Gay Fetish Scene Alive". www.vice.com. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  20. ^ Fox, Chris (2019-08-08). "Gay dating apps still leaking location data". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  21. ^ "Grindr and Romeo among gay dating apps leaking location data". PinkNews. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
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