# Social Exclusivity Seeking confidentiality, consumers turn to private methods of online engagement. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published May 28, 2014 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/social-exclusivity ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.6/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Social Exclusivity trend? **Social Exclusivity:** With online engagement offering a conveniently instantaneous mode of communication, public scrutiny and mass involvement can make personal interaction problematic. Seeking methods of socialization in a more exclusive manner, tech-savvy consumers are turning to ultra-private mobile features that help limit users and disguise messages in the blink of an eye. This reflects a shift towards more intimate, yet equally social methods of peer-to-peer engagement. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 9 to May 23, 2014 - Published: May 28, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Social Exclusivity trend ### Increased privacy in online communication Consumers are seeking more intimate and exclusive methods of peer-to-peer engagement, leading to the development of ultra-private mobile features that limit users and disguise messages. ### Disappearing/encrypted messaging Messaging services that self-destruct or have end-to-end encryption features are gaining popularity, catering to the demand for secure and private online communication. ### Anonymous social apps Apps that allow for anonymous communication or socialization, such as Cloaq and Truth, are growing in popularity as consumers prioritize online anonymity. ## What the Social Exclusivity trend means for industry ### For Technology The development and implementation of secure messaging technology is an area that presents opportunities for innovation and growth. ### For Mobile The popularity of privacy-focused mobile features like disappearing messages and encrypted calls presents growth opportunities for companies in the mobile industry. ### For Social media The rise of anonymous social apps reflects a trend towards more exclusive, intimate online communication, which presents a growth opportunity for innovators in the social media industry. ## Trend signals for Social Exclusivity Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 59%, activity 40%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 59% - Activity: 40% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Social Exclusivity trend 8 featured examples from Jan 9 to May 23, 2014. - [Secret Social Chat Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exclusive-social-network): This Exclusive Social Network App Only Works In Applebee's Restaurants (Category: Tech) Implication: Develop in-house exclusive social networks to enhance in-store experiences and peak customer engagement using gamification and loyalty schemes. - [Anonymity-Protecting Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blackphone): Protect Your Privacy with the New Blackphone (Category: Tech) Implication: The Blackphone is disrupting the mobile device industry by offering a privacy-focused alternative to the mainstream smartphones dominating the market. - [Vanishing Message Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/confide-app): The Confide App Shows off Its Snapchat-Like Messaging at CES 2014 (Category: Tech) Implication: Messaging app developers have an opportunity to adapt to the growing demand of secure and private messaging for businesses and professionals. - [Anonymous Social Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloaq-app): The Cloaq App Doesn't Require an Email or a Phone Number (Category: Tech) Implication: The cybersecurity industry can leverage the anonymous social app trend by providing advanced security measures to protect user information and safeguard against hacking and data b… - [Incognito Flirting Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/truth-app): The Truth App Lets You Flirt Anonymously (Category: Tech) Implication: There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for messaging apps to create incognito features that allow users to send private messages anonymously without revealing their identiti… - [Ultra-Secure Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowden-phone): The Snowden Phone Can Encrypt Calls and Texts (Category: Tech) Implication: Developing ultra-secure devices and services like the Snowden Phone and VPNs for anonymous browsing can disrupt the mobile industry, creating opportunities for companies to offer… - [Self-Destructing Messaging Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wickr): The Wickr App Offers Privacy and Control (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for messaging apps to create self-destructing messaging features for added privacy and control. - [Private Picture Posting Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cluster-app): The Cluster App Lets People See What You Want Them to See (Category: Tech) Implication: The private picture posting trend is disrupting the social media industry by providing alternative platforms that allow users to share content in a more controlled and selective m… ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - 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