A real hype has developed around the US app Clubhouse in Germany as well.
However, experts advise caution when handling data.
An
app
from the
USA *
is now also causing a stir in Germany.
Clubhouse
is an audio-based
app
that can be used to participate in conversations and discussions online.
However, experts warn against the use of the
app
with the
data
of users.
Frankfurt
- After the established social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Co., another
app
has recently become more and
more popular in Germany.
We are talking about Clubhouse, an audio-based conversation app from a manufacturer in the
USA,
which has
created a real hype
in
Germany over
the past few weeks
.
With
Clubhouse
, users can listen to conversations and discussions and take an active part in them.
The whole thing can be thought of as a kind of interactive live podcast.
The
app
only works via an audio track, which is also the main difference to the other common social media channels such as Facebook, Tik Tok * or Instagram.
A picture of the users is not sent.
Hype about the new app: Clubhouse relies on exclusive users
For users, the
app
differentiates
between moderators, active speakers and silent listeners.
There are different rooms for different topics, which serve the respective individual areas of interest of the users.
For Alpha Exploration, a company based in
Salt Lake City
, Utah,
Clubhouse is
a new “social service that enables people around the world to chat, tell stories, develop ideas, develop friendships and meet interesting new people to meet".
Surname |
Clubhouse |
|---|---|
Art |
audio-based social network app |
developer |
Alpha Exploration Co. |
Year of publication |
2020 |
Even though
Clubhouse is
already used by numerous celebrities, including Joachim “Joko” Winterscheidt, Oprah Winfrey, US rapper Drake and Paris Hilton, the
app
has so far
enjoyed
a rather small and exclusive community.
On the one hand, this is due to the fact that Clubhouse is currently only available for the
Iphone
and Android users are
excluded
.
On the other hand, you need an invitation from an active user of the app to take part yourself.
Clubhouse: users of the app pass on data of their contacts
The marketing concept of the developers at
Clubhouse
follows the principle of an artificial shortage and thus fuels the fear of missing out on many active smartphone users.
As a result, the invitation codes for the
app's
exclusive group of users are in
great demand.
They have already been offered for sale online for just under 50 euros.
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In terms of
data protection
, however, this is not entirely risk-free, as experts suspect.
Because: The developers of the
app
rely on viral distribution for rapid growth in awareness.
After installing and activating the invitation at
Clubhouse
, the app requests access to all contact entries that are stored in the iPhone's address book.
When registering via a social media account, it is accordingly the
data
on the user's followers and friend lists.
App collects vast amounts of personal data: Experts warn Clubhouse users
Alpha Exploration, as the manufacturer of the
app,
collects huge amounts of personal data.
So also from people who
don't use
the
clubhouse
at all.
Data protectionists in
Europe
vehemently criticize this approach.
Strictly speaking, users would have to ask each of their contacts for permission before the
data is passed
on to the clubhouse server in the
USA
.
+
This app is also causing a hype in Germany: Clubhouse.
But experts urge caution when handling the data.
© via www.imago-images.de
This would
Clubhouse
even violate European privacy Regulation (DSGVO).
However, Alpha Exploration has no office within the
EU
.
As a result, Christof Stein, press spokesman for the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI), urges caution: "Users should study the guidelines of the app and weigh the risk of whether the transfer of
data
is worth
using the
app
," said he opposite tagesschau.de.
Clubhouse app: Unclear information about the use of user data
In addition, a spokesman for the Saarland data protection authority expressed concerns to the Tagesschau that there were other points to be viewed critically in addition to the access of the app to the other contacts of the user.
It is therefore also unclear what the
data collected by
the
app will be
used for.
According to Alpha Exploration's own privacy policy, this data could even be passed on.
In addition, the recording of conversations in the
clubhouse is
a point to be criticized.
Even if the manufacturer assures that this is only done to ensure compliance with the terms of use.
There is also no direct way
to delete your
account and therefore your
data
via the
app
.
This fact shows that the topic of data protection is
not particularly important
at
Clubhouse
.
For the final deletion of their account, users currently have to send an email to the operator.
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