Buzz App Offers Ultimate Privacy With Self-Destructing Connections
Contributed by: ElyseRomano on Thursday, November 19 2015 @ 09:29 am
Last modified on
Snapchat put ephemeral communication on the map. Now Buzz[*1] is taking it to the next level with a more conversation-focused app.
Buzz dumps self-destructing messages in favor of self-destructing connections. All connections made on the app automatically expire after 72 hours, unless both parties choose to continue chatting. Frequent online daters will immediately see the value in the service.
It's nerve-racking to give your digits to a stranger, even if their profile is perfect and your conversation is going well. Apps like Burner or kik alleviate some fears but aren't perfect solutions. Some only offer paid accounts. Others allow people to find you by username, even though your phone number is private.
Buzz attempts to solve these problems for daters who are extremely conscientous about safety. Users only have to add a photo, name and gender to sign up. Afterwards, the app provides a temporary, unique identifier called a 'Buzz Code.'
Users can add each other in the app using the code. After connecting, a conversation expires after 72 hours unless both users indicate that they would like to continue talking. If both say no, or only one says yes, the connection self-destructs and the parties can no longer communicate.
If users do want to keep the conversation going, it can continue within the app. And, of course, conversations can also stop at any point before the 72 hours if things take a creepy or boring turn.
For now, your Buzz Code is not permanent and can be changed whenever you want. Changing your code does not affect your existing connections. Buzz also plans to offer disposable “vanity” codes as an in-app purchase in the future, which would allow users to create their own handles.
Buzz is the brainchild of Matthew Groves, Brian Albright and Hanna Xu. The three co-founders met while working at the messaging app Tango, where they honed their skills before leaving to launch their own venture.
Buzz has been tested with a small group of beta users, but its real test begins now that it is available to the public. The app's creators hope that online daters’ increased concerns about privacy, combined with the weak points of other messaging apps, will allow Buzz to stand out in its niche.
It's still too early to tell if Buzz will catch on, but its hard not to be intrigued by an app that eliminates the need for fake phone numbers, spam-only email addresses and disposable account information.
Buzz is free to download on iOS and Android.