# Roommate Privacy Alert Apps Clorox' Sock-It App Acts Like a Virtual Sock on the Door By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-02-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sock-it References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2014/02/digital-do-not-distrurb-app.html) & [itunes.apple](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sock-it-leave-sock-in-hamper/id799771682) The Sock-It app is designed to digitize the act of putting a sock on the doorknob to indicate that the people inside the room are busy at the moment. The app's approach is a little more inconspicuous than actually having to hang some sort of sign on a doorknob, but it does require your [roommates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coliving-sector) to have it on their phones to work. However, the app is not totally discreet, since it will automatically notify any [nearby users](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/busy-bar) who have downloaded the app with the use of iBeacon technology, roommate or not. Oddly enough, the app comes from Clorox and it was added to the [Apple](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/detection-app) iTunes store on February 14th, encouraging love-makers to leave their socks in the laundry hamper instead of on doorknobs on Valentine's Day. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 33% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Virtual Door Signaling:** Opportunity to develop more discreet roommate privacy alert apps. - **Inconspicuous Roommate Apps:** Creating more privacy apps with inconspicuous features presents an opportunity for innovation. - **Proximity-based Notifications:** Development of apps with iBeacon technology to notify nearby users presents an opportunity for innovation. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Home Automation:** Incorporating these apps into home automation systems presents an opportunity for innovation. - **Personal Security:** Development of discreet roommate apps can have applications in personal security, opening up new possibilities and markets. - **Mobile Applications:** Continued development and launch of mobile apps in this category presents opportunity for lucrative business ventures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Romantic Intimacy Communication Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/relationship-intimacy-app.md) - [Impaired Judgment Phone Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drunk-mode-locker.md) - [Home Screen Photo Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/locket.md) - [Clean Bathroom-Locating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woloo.md) - [Social Network Room Sharing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flatx.md) - [Crowdsourced Restroom Code Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restroom-code-maps.md) - [Neighborhood Storage Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spacemate.md) - [Anti-Stalking App Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tile.md) - [Productivity-Focused Exercise Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steppin.md)