Cuddlr

Cuddlr was a social-meeting application where strangers who live within walking distance from each other could meet up for casual, platonic cuddling. Users could send nearby prospective cuddle partners an invitation to cuddle, which the fellow users could either choose to accept or decline within 60 minutes. The application provided real-time walking directions to cuddle partners, allowing them to meet up, either in a private or public setting. Unlike Tinder, the age of all users (and, potentially, gender) was omitted. Additionally, users were rated by previous cuddle partners according to their cuddling techniques and spooning preferences, their communication skills and their ability to respect boundaries. These ratings, which acted as a safety measure, were then made available to all Cuddlr users.^[1]

History

Cuddlr was launched on September 18, 2014.^[2] The app was founded by Charlie Williams,^[3] an American who now lives and operates out of England. Williams, a software engineer and founder of Charlie Roberts Williams Ltd., previously helped develop Shazam, a popular application that offers music identification services. Williams studied at Northwestern University in the United States and at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.^[4] The concept behind the application is said to have started as a joke at a dinner party, and was further developed once a need for such an app was identified.^[5] Cuddlr’s design is overseen by Jeff Kulak,^[3] a Montreal-based graphic designer and illustrator.^[6] Its media relations are managed by Damon Brown^[3] who operates out of San Diego and is a professional speaker and author of fourteen books. Brown has a masters in Magazine Publishing from Northwestern University and sits on the board of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.^[7]

Reception

Cuddlr has been featured on Tech Times,^[8] Cosmopolitan,^[9] BBC News,^[10] and more. The application has been subject to numerous critiques. According to Alex Sevigny, a Canadian communications expert at McMaster University, for CBC Hamilton, the app commodifies intimacy and makes a private activity public.^[11] Kate Bellamy, a journalist from Metro News UK, criticizes the app for encouraging people to disrespect personal boundaries, which could potentially affect the lives of non-users as well.^[12] UWIRE writes that only people desperate for human touch would turn to technology to fulfill this human need with a stranger, and that, therefore, the application is unsafe.^[13]

As of March 16 2015 Cuddlr reported that it shut down, stating "Cuddlr closes up shop and wishes you all the best". ^[14]

References