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Recon (app)

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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]

Like many other gay dating apps, such as Grindr and Scruff, Recon allows users to create a profile, communicate with other members through private messages, and filters members by location and interests.[5] Unlike those apps, 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

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

Removal from YouTube

In 2016, Recon's YouTube channel was removed due to allegedly breaching adult content policies. A day after BuzzFeed News approached YouTube with questions about the removal, the channel was reinstated.[16]

Effect on leather bars, sex clubs and saunas

Some have claimed that gay dating apps have a negative impact on local businesses such as gay bars, and that Recon's widespread usage[17][18] by fetishmen has reduced business in leather bars, sex clubs and saunas.[19][20] However, many businesses actively promote their businesses on Recon to appeal to local customers.

Location data leaks

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.[21][22]

References

  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. ^ White, Alan (26 May 2016). "YouTube Reinstates Gay Fetish Website's Videos After Claims Of Anti-Gay Bias". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  17. ^ Savage, Dan (7 February 2018). "How does one get into the gay BDSM bottoming scene?". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  18. ^ "Savage Love: Bondage is the great gay-tribe unifier". The Georgia Straight. 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  19. ^ Siddons, Edward (2018-10-04). "Why is the gay leather scene dying?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  20. ^ "This Crew Is Keeping London's Gay Fetish Scene Alive". www.vice.com. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  21. ^ Fox, Chris (2019-08-08). "Gay dating apps still leaking location data". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  22. ^ "Grindr and Romeo among gay dating apps leaking location data". PinkNews. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
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