App Guide

Wink

Name: Wink

Owned By: 9 Count, Inc. 

Category: Social Networking

Operating System: IOS and Android 

Available for download: Yes

Desktop version: No

Approximate release date: Unknown

Age Rating*: 12+Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humor:

  • Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity
  • Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References
  • Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes

Brief Description*: Wink is the best place to make new friends from all over the world! It’s as easy as swiping right and starting up a conversation with your potential new bestie.

*Information from the App Store

  • Ability to connect with strangers

    Wink allows users to easily connect with anyone in the world and add them on Snapchat.

  • Business Accounts (used for business)

    Businesses do not use Wink.

  • Cyberbullying opportunities

    Similar to other social media platforms, cyberbullying is not likely but it is plausible. Cyberbullying doesn’t take place in Wink, but it could happen in  Snapchat once usernames are exchanged.

  • Inappropriate content

    There are many fake accounts on Wink that try to connect with other users and ask for nudes. Some profiles contain inappropriate images, drug content, and alcohol references.

  • Ability to chat

    Users see Snapchat profiles of strangers from all over the world. Once they connect, they can chat on Snapchat. Note: Private chats don’t take place in Wink.

  • Anonymous posting

    There are no anonymous posts on Wink, but some users have made fake accounts to encourage others to pay for their paid services.

  • Collects location data

    Wink doesn’t collect location data. However, many users choose to share their location in their bio.

  • Ability to make accounts private

    All accounts on Wink are public. However, users have to accept  followers before they follow them.

  • Scoring system (trophies, points, rewards, etc.)

    Users are rewarded with points when they login daily, share their Snapchat username with a Wink user, verify their phone number, invite friends to join, and more.

  • Reporting function

    If a user comes across an inappropriate profile, they can block and/or report them.

  • Collects user’s information

    Wink may use identifiers and usage data to track you across apps and websites  owned by other companies. Additionally, Wink may collect contact information, identifiers, diagnostics, user content, and usage data that could be linked to your identity.

  • Data collected not linked to identity

    Wink may collect contact information, identifiers, user content, and diagnostics that are not linked to your identity.

  • In-app purchases

    There are no in-app purchases. However, there are some profiles that encourage users to purchase their services through Snapchat.

Reviewed By: Ryan

Wink is an app where you can easily connect with anyone in the world and add them on Snapchat. I jumped on Hoop and created a static account (no posts or interactions) to see what it was all about. I observed youth posting their location in their bio as well as all the activities they participate in and even phone numbers. Many accounts stated in the bio “I don’t send nudes so please don’t ask.” 

While scrolling through Wink I got many “notifications” from people wanting to connect on the app. Many of these accounts were fake accounts and were trying to connect me with their paid premium services platform where they would sell nude pictures/videos. I was able to identify that these were fake accounts but your average middle school student may not be able to note the difference. It would be easy for them to fall for the tactics used. 

Here is a video that shows one user’s experience “trying to find a boyfriend” on Wink.  Hoop is a very similar app and functions just about the same as Wink. Here is a list of 25 other apps that are similar to Wink. With any piece of technology, you should have a Technology Contract in place before they use it. 

I would not recommend this app for anyone under 18 years old.