As of 2024, BeReal has over 100 million downloads globally, with about 25 million daily active users. The app initially gained popularity in France, where it was launched in 2019, but it has since expanded its user base, with the United States leading in downloads. BeReal’s unique approach of encouraging users to post unfiltered, real-time content has resonated with many, particularly younger audiences, with 98% of users being under 45 years old.
BeReal is a social media app that aims to provide a more authentic and less curated experience compared to other platforms. It was launched in 2020 by French developers Alexis Barreyat and Kévin Perreau. The app encourages users to post unfiltered, real-time photos to share a more genuine snapshot of their daily lives.
Heres how it works
Daily Notification: Every day at a random time, all users receive a notification to take a photo within a two-minute window.
Dual Camera Feature: The app uses both the front and back cameras simultaneously, capturing what you are doing and your reaction in real-time.
No Edits or Filters: Users are encouraged to post photos without editing or applying filters, promoting authenticity.
Limited Interaction: There are no likes, and interactions are minimal, which shifts the focus away from seeking approval or validation from others.
BeReal has grown popular, especially among younger audiences, because it contrasts with the highly polished content often seen on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook
Be Real Search Options
BeReal doesn’t have a traditional search function like other social media platforms where you can easily find someone by their name or username. Instead, finding someone’s BeReal account requires a few specific methods:
Friend Requests via Phone Contacts: BeReal allows you to sync your phone contacts, and it will suggest people you know based on those contacts. You can add friends directly if they are already using the app.
Username or Profile Sharing: You can manually share your BeReal username or ask for someone’s username, then add them by searching for their profile in the “Add Friends” section of the app.
QR Code: Users can share a QR code that others can scan to find their profile.
BeReal focuses on close, personal connections, which is why they don’t offer broader search features or public profiles. This design aligns with their goal of fostering a more authentic, private social media experience.
As of September 2024, BeReal has been in the news for a few reasons. The app has faced scrutiny over privacy concerns and data security issues, with some critics arguing that its approach to capturing authentic moments may unintentionally compromise user privacy. Additionally, BeReal has been exploring new features and updates to maintain user engagement, such as enhanced photo editing tools and expanded social interactions. The app’s efforts to stay relevant in the competitive social media landscape are also being closely watched.
E-Chatter stays on top of new social media applications and how they are used for the purpose of sharing our expertise with our clients. BeReal is an application we include in our search efforts on your behalf. Visit our website to learn more about our company and how we come alongside you during an investigation.
Snapchat has introduced a range of features, both functional and protective, aimed at enhancing user experience while ensuring safety for kids and teens. Here’s a breakdown of Snapchat’s features and how they are working towards protecting minors on the platform.
Snapchat offers several different features and understanding all of them can be difficult at times. We have broken down some of the most used features within the application for you.
Snapchat Terms and Meanings
Snaps are photos and videos that users can send to their friends. After they are viewed they will either instantly disappear or after a 24 hour period. This depends on the settings the user as selected within this field.
Chat is used like a text message. This will disappear after being read (unless saved by the user). The user can also send audio and video messages.
Stories is a 24-hour collection of Snaps that users can post for their friends or the public to see.
Spotlight is a public space for viral short videos, like TikTok. Users can view content based on their interests.
Lenses and Filters are Augmented Reality (AR) filters and effects users can add to their photos and videos.
Discover is a feature where users can find content from publishers, creators, and influencers.
Memories is a private archive where users can save Snaps and Stories for later viewing or sharing.
Snap Map is a feature that allows users to share their location with friends or view the location of friends who have shared their location on the map.
Streaks is a fun feature that tracks how many days in a row two users have been sending each other Snaps.
Bitmoji is where users can create personalized avatars (Bitmojis) to represent themselves in Snaps and chats.
Snapchat Features for Protecting Kids and Teens
Snapchat has taken steps to make the platform safer for younger users, particularly with features aimed at privacy, limiting exposure to inappropriate content, and enabling parental controls. Additionally, Snapchat recently rolled out a resource for educators, explaining what Snapchat is, Safety at Snap, and Educators Tools and Resources. Note, that while these new features and transparency within the Snapchat corporation are aimed at assisting in the protection of minors, there are still workarounds that teens may find accessible.
Age Verification
Snapchat requires users to enter their date of birth during account creation. If users are under 13, they are restricted from creating a standard account.
Note: Users who are utilizing this platform without the supervision of an adult can still create a date of birth that is false.
Privacy Settings for Teens (13-17)
Default Friend Settings: For users under 18, Snapchat defaults to allowing communication only from their accepted friends. Strangers cannot send messages, Snaps, or friend requests unless explicitly added as friends.
Limited Discovery: Snapchat curates and limits the content teens can access in the Discover section to avoid exposure to adult or inappropriate content.
Note: Users are still able to view “friend suggestions”. This means that if Bobby, a current friend of Sarah’s, is friends with John the drug dealer, John may pop up as a “friend suggestion” to Sarah. Sarah may feel safe adding a friend of Bobby’s since Snapchats culture is all about making friends and connections.
Snap Map Privacy
Ghost Mode: Users can hide their location from others by activating Ghost Mode. By default, users must manually opt-in to share their location.
Restricting Location Sharing: For users under 18, location-sharing features are restricted to only friends they have accepted, and public location sharing is discouraged.
Two-Factor Authentication
Snapchat offers two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security, helping to protect accounts from being hacked.
In-App Reporting Tools
Safety Center: Snapchat provides a dedicated safety center for users to access guidance on privacy settings and how to report abuse.
Reporting Content: Users can report inappropriate content, bullying, harassment, or suspicious accounts within the app. Snapchat’s moderation team reviews these reports.
Restricted Friend Suggestions
Snapchat does not show accounts of teens (13-17) in Quick Add to anyone unless they have mutual friends. This helps prevent strangers from discovering their profiles.
Parental Control Features (Family Center)
Family Center: Snapchat introduced Family Center, a set of tools for parents to monitor and guide their child’s usage without directly viewing their messages.
View Friends List: Parents can see who their child is friends with, allowing them to be aware of connections without invading their child’s privacy.
Report Harmful Activity: Parents can report accounts or concerns directly to Snapchat via the Family Center.
Content Moderation and Filtering
Snapchat uses machine learning and moderation tools to detect and remove inappropriate content, especially in public sections like Discover and Spotlight.
Age-appropriate Content: Snapchat curates content and ensures that minors do not have access to channels or content labeled as inappropriate for younger audiences.
Anti-Bullying Measures
Snapchat encourages positive interactions by allowing users to control who can contact them and limiting the ways they can be discovered by others.
Disappearing Messages: Since messages disappear after being read, this discourages the spread of harmful or inappropriate content.
Blocking and Reporting: Users can easily block, report, or remove someone from their friends list, and Snapchat investigates reports of harassment or bullying.
Time Management
While Snapchat does not offer built-in time limits, it encourages parents to use third-party parental control apps to manage screen time, ensuring teens do not spend excessive time on the app.
Safety Education
Snapchat partners with organizations such as ConnectSafely and the Family Online Safety Institute to educate teens, parents, and educators about digital well-being and online safety.
No Public Profiles for Teens
Snapchat restricts users under 18 from creating public profiles, helping protect their content from being viewed by strangers.
Snapchat has designed a range of features aimed at providing a safe environment for teens while offering privacy control and parental oversight tools. While it continues to evolve and improve, the platform emphasizes privacy and safety for younger users by default.
At E-Chatter we strive to not only educate Private Investigators on how to search through social media platforms, but also shed light on social media topics such as this to educate parents, grandparents, educators, and guardians. Visit our website for additional information on how we and assist you and your online search efforts now.
Online harassment has become a significant issue in today’s digital age, affecting people across various platforms and communities. According to Pew Research, 41% of Americans have personally experienced some form of online harassment. The study was published in 2021, although I am sure that number has increased over the last few years. Online harassment refers to abusive behavior conducted through digital platforms with the intent to harm, intimidate, or otherwise distress an individual or group. It encompasses a wide range of harmful activities facilitated by the internet, including social media, messaging apps, forums, and other online communication tools.
Types of Online Harassment
Online harassment can take many forms, each with its own methods and impact. Here are the main types of online harassment:
1. Cyberbullying
Definition: Repeated, deliberate harm inflicted through electronic means.
Definition: Intentionally provoking or upsetting people online to elicit emotional responses.
Examples: Posting inflammatory comments in forums, making offensive jokes, or derailing conversations with disruptive remarks.
3. Doxxing
Definition: Publishing private or identifying information about an individual without their consent.
Examples: Sharing someone’s home address, phone number, or personal photographs.
4. Swatting
Definition: Making false reports to emergency services to have them dispatched to someone’s address.
Examples: Reporting a fake hostage situation or bomb threat, leading to police SWAT teams being sent to the victim’s home.
5. Hate Speech
Definition: Online communication that demeans individuals or groups based on attributes like race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Examples: Racist slurs, anti-Semitic comments, sexist remarks, and homophobic language.
6. Sexual Harassment
Definition: Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
Examples: Sending unsolicited explicit images, making sexually suggestive comments, or stalking someone online.
7. Impersonation
Definition: Pretending to be someone else online to deceive others.
Examples: Creating fake profiles, sending messages under another person’s name, or posting as someone else to damage their reputation.
8. Cyberstalking
Definition: The use of the internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, group, or organization.
Examples: Repeatedly sending threatening emails, monitoring someone’s online activities, or using social media to track someone’s whereabouts.
9. Flaming
Definition: Posting hostile and insulting messages online, often in forums or social media platforms.
Examples: Aggressive and heated arguments, personal attacks, or profanity-laden tirades.
10. Catfishing
Definition: Creating a fake online persona to deceive others, typically for romantic or financial gain.
Examples: Pretending to be someone else on dating sites, forming online relationships under false pretenses, or soliciting money under a false identity.
11. Mobbing
Definition: Collective harassment by a group targeting an individual.
Examples: Coordinated attacks or campaigns against someone on social media, mass reporting of someone’s account to get them banned.
12. Outing
Definition: Publicly revealing someone’s private, sensitive, or embarrassing information without their consent.
Examples: Disclosing someone’s sexual orientation, sharing private messages or images, or revealing someone’s medical condition.
13. Online Shaming
Definition: Publicly humiliating someone online for their behavior or actions.
Examples: Viral posts calling out someone’s behavior, mass sharing of embarrassing videos, or targeted hashtag campaigns.
14. Gaslighting
Definition: Manipulating someone by psychological means into questioning their own sanity.
Examples: Denying previous online interactions, altering messages or posts to make someone doubt their memory, or spreading false information to discredit someone.
Understanding these various forms of online harassment is crucial for recognizing and combating them effectively.
The first place to start is to document everything should this happen to you or to a client of yours. Hire us to do a deep dive. Even the most skilled at this can mess up and it sometimes is found in the smallest little detail. We can help!
One of the most fascinating aspects of social media for me has always been the psychological angle or behavioral science to it all. Behavioral science is a field that analyses human behavior. It focuses on observing, describing, explaining, predicting, and modifying behavior through systematic observation and manipulation of environmental variables. This can be applied to social media in various ways. Marketers have been doing it for years~ profiling users of social media to better advertise their products or services. In fact, social media can even be used to better understand population dietary behaviors. The review identified 34 studies involving social media analysis (SMA). They took a deep dive on alcohol consumption, dieting and eating away from home behaviors. Twitter was predominant with data sets in tens of millions.
This is nothing new for OSINT researchers, Investigative Journalists, Law Enforcement, and Private Investigators. We have learned just how much you can discover through various platforms from finding a missing child to uncovering financial fraud and everything in between.
We like to start off by examining the age of the person and which platforms they are more likely to be on.
Demographics of Platforms: AGE
The recent data from Pew Research may suggest we should pay closer attention to certain social media platforms based on age. YouTube and Facebook still remain the top two most used platforms across all demographics. This data is a good place to start and may help to uncover different usernames that can later be used to identify other platforms.
Understanding User Behavior
Behavior analysis can be used to study how individuals interact with social media platforms. Researchers can observe and analyze user behavior patterns, such as the frequency of posting, types of content shared, and interactions with others (e.g., likes, comments, shares). How much influence does the user have? Which friends or followers seem to interact with the user the most? In what capacity?
Location: Posts may contain information about a person’s location, such as check-ins or geotags, which can be used to verify alibis or track movements.
Relationships: Posts may reveal a person’s relationships with others, such as friends, family, or acquaintances, which can be used to identify potential suspects or witnesses.
Activities: Posts may provide information about a person’s activities, such as hobbies, interests, or daily routines, which can be used to establish patterns of behavior or gather evidence of illegal activities.
Emotions: Posts may reveal a person’s emotions, such as anger, sadness, or happiness, which can be used to assess their mental state and motivations.
Communications: Posts may contain messages, comments, or other communications with others, which can be used to identify potential witnesses or suspects, and to gather evidence of criminal activities.
Body Language
Technically, body language refers to the nonverbal signals that we convey through our physical movements and gestures, which are typically seen in person. However, in social media videos, you can still convey nonverbal cues through your facial expressions, tone of voice, and posture.
For example, facial expressions can show enthusiasm or sadness, change the tone of your voice will convey different emotions, and gestures may be used to emphasize certain points. Voice inflections can be a sign of stress or anxiety.
Studying a social media post’s background can be very telling as well. For example, a cluttered or messy background may communicate disorganization or lack of attention to detail, while a professional or clean background may communicate professionalism and attention to detail.
Social media posts can provide valuable clues in an investigation, as they can reveal a person’s thoughts, emotions, activities, and connections with others.
There are and will continue to be a wide range of reasons to pay close attention to social media for an investigation of any kind.
In an era dominated by technology, the landscape of romance has had a profound transformation, with virtual dating apps and hookup sites emerging as the new frontier for modern connections. The rise of dating applications and websites has revolutionized the way individuals meet and form relationships, transcending geographical boundaries and traditional social norms. While these apps offer a new and convenient way to find love and companionship, they have also become an interesting new terrain for private investigators, particularly in the context of cheating partners and divorces. The simple accessibility and lack of in-person convictions offered by these dating/hookup applications make it a breeding ground of infidelity, often leading to the discovery of unfaithful partners and contentious divorces. As the world of romance worms it’s way into the digital realm, the skills and tools used by private investigators grows substantially. Not only is there a need to follow and track in real life, but digitally as well. This shift prompts a closer examination of the intersection between virtual dating and the evolving role of private investigators in navigating the complexities of the modern dating landscape.
History of Dating Apps
Reflecting on the 90s, the proliferation of internet access and computers marked the beginning of a transformative era. Increasingly, individuals embraced this novel way of life, culminating in the launch of the first dating app in 1995. Match.comemerged, heralding a significant shift in the realm of romantic connections. The traditional requirement of an in-person “meet-cute” was no longer obligatory, opening the doors to an entirely new dating landscape. Fast forward to the early 2000s, the advent of social media took center stage. Facebook, MySpace, and soon after, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn all became integral parts of the digital lexicon. It becomes evident that as more people flocked to the online sphere, a proportionate surge in the number of single individuals navigating the digital dating realm occurred. In 2012, Tinder emerged, introducing a fresh perspective on online dating.
Tinder
Tinder, originally conceived by its founders, Sean Rad and Justin Mateen, emerged as a significant player in the dating app scene. In a 2014 Time magazine interview, the duo humorously shared that the app’s inception stemmed from Justin Mateen’s agoraphobia, jokingly attributing the need for virtual connections due to a fear of leaving the house. Whether this origin story holds true or not, the app rapidly gained immense popularity, functioning as a technologically advanced rendition of the classic “hot or not” concept. Users are presented with photos of potential matches nearby, with the option to swipe left for a “nope” or right for a “like.” For a match to occur, both parties must swipe right. In 2014, the staggering statistics reflected 500 million daily swipes and 5 million matches. Tinder’s creation marked a cornerstone in the whirlwind evolution of mobile dating apps.
Bumble
Another notable player in the dating app arena is Bumble, crafted by Whitney Wolfe Herdin 2014. Distinguished by its woman-centric approach, this app empowers women by placing control firmly in their hands. Similar to Tinder, users engage in the left or right swipe dynamic, but the key difference lies in the post-match interaction. Once a match is made, it’s the woman who must initiate the first move, setting a 24-hour window for communication. Should the male party not respond within this timeframe, the match dissipates. Bumble has cultivated a global community surpassing 100 million users across six continents, celebrating over 1.5 billion “first moves.” Beyond dating, Bumble expands its offerings to include options for making friends and professional connections, signaling a multifaceted approach to modern connections.
Demographics of Online Dating
The roster of dating apps in the present day continues to expand, featuring top contenders such as Tinder, Match, and Bumble, alongside others like OkCupid, Hinge, E-Harmony, Grindr, HER, and more. According to Pew Research, almost half of online dating users, with approximately eight in ten users under 30, report using Tinder, solidifying its status as the most widely used dating platform in the U.S. The study also reveals that 79% of Tinder users fall within the 18-29 age bracket, in contrast to apps like Match, which only has 9% of users aged 18-29 but peaks at 54% for users between 50-64. The expansive realm of online dating prompts an exploration into how these platforms can be leveraged in online investigations.
In addition to those earnestly seeking love through dating apps, there exists a cohort pursuing different objectives. According to Pew Research, a remarkable 31% of men on dating apps are in search of casual hook-ups or sexual encounters, while women account for 13%.
Are You For Real?
This prompts a contemplation on the authenticity of profiles—how many individuals are genuinely who they claim to be? Does the person boasting a six-figure job truly hold such a position? Is the individual claiming to be 35 truly reflective of their appearance in the posted picture? Moreover, does the seemingly amazing person discovered on a dating app truly lead a single life, or could they be engaging in infidelity within an existing relationship? Investigations often revolve around suspicions of infidelity, as exemplified by Stephanie, a 27-year-old whose story was featured in an article forBustle. Initially in love with her boyfriend, Stephanie’s world crumbled when a friend sent her a screenshot of her boyfriend’s dating profile. Conducting her own inquiry, Stephanie logged into her friend’s profile, messaged him, and asked for his phone number to verify his identity. The phone number matched, unveiling the truth and catapulting Stephanie into the midst of a breakup.
For the Private Investigator
As investigators delve into divorce or custody cases, particularly those involving infidelity, the complexities of utilizing dating apps as evidence come to the forefront. Distinguishing dating apps from social media, despite their similarities, is crucial. Unlike social media platforms, dating apps lack a searchable database by name, often featuring profiles with only first names, introducing additional possibilities and anomalies.The situation becomes more intricate due to the widespread existence of fraudulent profiles, especially on platforms that do not mandate identity verification. While some apps like Hinge or Bumble recommend features like real-time selfie verification for profiles, they are not obligatory, introducing an additional layer of complexity. A recent search for an individual accused of cheating during a divorce revealed the challenges inherent in scrutinizing dating apps. For platforms like Bumble, where a profile is mandatory for searching, investigators employ alias profiles. Premium features, allowing refined searches based on location, age, height, religious and political views, parental status and more enhance the investigative process. Despite comprehensive efforts, our search did not yield a profile. This experience highlighted the significant gaps in understanding the intricacies of navigating dating apps, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach in such investigations.
Are Dating Apps Searchable?
This brings us to the forefront of a pivotal question: Can dating apps be searched? The answer is yes, but not in the manner one might initially envision. When exploring the prospect of searching through dating apps, numerous considerations come into play. Many of these platforms implement privacy settings that impede effortless user discovery. Some dating apps establish connections through Facebook or other social media platforms, often requesting your phone number. Through algorithms and the covert mechanisms of these applications, the potential exists for discovering mutual connections. Stories often circulate about individuals encountering friends of friends through dating apps, making the world feel strangely small. As previously highlighted, the search functionality plays a crucial role in such investigations. Typically, this feature involves selecting filters based on criteria such as height, age, location, or interests when seeking a specific individual. Adding to the complexity, the process of searching through dating apps may, at times, feel similarly to a game of chance. However, with the right parameters in place, the possibility of encountering your intended profile increases. We conducted our own thorough test to scrutinize the effectiveness of popular software, specifically assessing its capability to detect instances where an individual maintains multiple dating profiles. We subjected our subject to scrutiny using four of the most prominent software platforms, yet none of them successfully retrieved any data from dating apps. Despite yielding accurate information such as multiple social media profiles, correct addresses, and phone numbers, the absence of dating-related data reinforces our assertion. This underscores the notion that for effective searching through dating apps, a manual human touch remains indispensable.
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern romance, dating apps have emerged as a transformative force, reshaping the way individuals connect and form relationships. The journey from the internet’s early days to the present day mirrors the digital age’s progression, marking the birth of dating apps like Match.com and the subsequent rise of social media platforms. As we navigate this digital realm, private investigators find themselves at the intersection of virtual dating and real-life investigations, addressing the complexities introduced by infidelity and divorce cases. The expanding list of dating apps, from Tinder to Bumble and beyond, reflects the diversity of user objectives, leading us to question the authenticity of profiles and the challenges investigators face in uncovering the truth. The prevalence of casual encounters and the blurred lines between reality and online personas further complicate the investigative process. As investigators grapple with these challenges, the need for a nuanced and human-centric approach becomes evident, emphasizing the indispensable role of skilled professionals in untangling the intricate web of digital romance.
