Algorithm‑driven friend‑matching apps test a £20‑a‑month subscription model as loneliness fuels a new monetizable digital service
Executive summary: The Guardian article describes emerging social apps that use algorithms to suggest friends and propose a £20 monthly subscription for access. It highlights a growing commercialization of loneliness, potentially creating a new revenue stream for social platforms while raising data‑privacy and consumer‑protection concerns.
Who is involved: App developers (e.g., the unnamed 'Cliq' platform), adults experiencing loneliness, and regulators overseeing data protection and online services.
Likely next: Developers will likely pilot the subscription model in select UK cities and monitor user retention and satisfaction to refine the matching algorithm.
The Guardian reports that amid rising adult loneliness, meetup platforms are experimenting with paid subscriptions where an algorithm selects potential friends for users, charging £20 per month. The concept reflects a broader trend of digital companies turning social isolation into a product, raising questions about user privacy, data protection, and the effectiveness of algorithmic matchmaking. While the model could create a niche revenue stream for social apps, its success hinges on user trust and demonstrated outcomes in forming meaningful connections.
Timeline
- — Would you pay for an algorithm to pick your friends? New social apps spread across cities (The Guardian — Technology)
- — Con il rientro dalle ferie più richieste di aiuto psicologico (Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia)
- — Paul Klotz, essayiste : « La solitude est devenue une ressource délibérément recherchée et exploitée par les acteurs du numérique » (Le Monde — Économie)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Subscription tier priced at £20 per month to be offered for algorithm‑based friend matching
Sectors affected
- Online social networking
- Mental‑health and wellness services
- Digital consumer‑services
Sources
- Would you pay for an algorithm to pick your friends? New social apps spread across cities — The Guardian — Technology
- Paul Klotz, essayiste : « La solitude est devenue une ressource délibérément recherchée et exploitée par les acteurs du numérique » — Le Monde — Économie
- Con il rientro dalle ferie più richieste di aiuto psicologico — Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia