×
SoftBank’s Nvidia sale rattles market, raises questions | TechCrunch

SoftBank’s Nvidia sale rattles market, raises questions | TechCrunch

Tech-news , ,

Masayoshi Son isn’t known for half measures. The SoftBank founder’s career has been studded with eyebrow-raising bets, each one seemingly more outrageous than the last.

His latest move is to cash out his entire $5.8 billion Nvidia stake to go all-in on AI. And while it surprised the business world on Tuesday, it maybe should not. At this point, it’s almost more surprising when the 68-year-old Son doesn’t push his chips to the center of the table.

Consider that during the late 1990s dot-com bubble, Son’s net worth soared to about $78 billion by February 2000, briefly making him the richest person in the world. Then came the ugly dot-com implosion months later. He lost $70 billion personally – which, at the time, was the largest financial loss by any individual in history — as SoftBank’s market cap plummeted 98% from $180 billion to just $2.5 billion. 

Amid that terribleness, Son made what would become his most legendary bet: a $20 million investment in Alibaba in 2000, one decided (the story goes) after just a six-minute meeting with Jack Ma. That stake would eventually grow to be worth $150 billion by 2020, transforming him into one of the venture industry’s most celebrated figures and funding his comeback.

That Alibaba success has often made it harder to see when Son has stayed too long at the table. When Son needed capital to launch his first Vision Fund in 2017, he didn’t hesitate to seek $45 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – long before taking Saudi money became acceptable in Silicon Valley.

After journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in October 2018, Son condemned the killing as “horrific and deeply regrettable” but insisted SoftBank couldn’t “turn our backs on the Saudi people,” maintaining the firm’s commitment to managing the kingdom’s capital. In fact, the Vision Fund actually ramped up dealmaking soon after.

That didn’t turn out so well.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco
|
October 13-15, 2026

A big bet on Uber generated paper losses for years. Then came WeWork. Son overrode his lieutenants’ objections, fell “in love” with founder Adam Neumann, and assigned the co-working company a dizzying valuation of $47 billion in early 2019 after making several previous investments in the company. But WeWork’s IPO plans collapsed after it published a famously troubling S-1 filing. The company never quite recovered – even after pushing out Neumann and instituting a series of belt-tightening measures – ultimately costing SoftBank $11.5 billion in equity losses and another $2.2 billion in debt. (Son reportedly later called it “a stain on my life.”)

Son has been mounting another comeback for years, and Tuesday will undoubtedly be remembered as an important moment in his turnaround tale. Indeed, it will likely be recalled as the day SoftBank sold all 32.1 million of its Nvidia shares – not to diversify its bets but instead to double down elsewhere, including on a planned $30 billion commitment to OpenAI and to participate (it reportedly hopes) in a $1 trillion AI manufacturing hub in Arizona. 

If selling that position still gives Son some heartburn, that’s understandable. At about $181.58 per share, SoftBank exited just 14% below Nvidia’s all-time high of $212.19, which is a strong look. That’s remarkably close to peak valuation for such a huge position. Still, the move marks SoftBank’s second complete exit from NVIDIA, and the first one was exceedingly costly. (In 2019, SoftBank sold a $4 billion stake in the company for $3.6 billion, shares that would now be worth more than $150 billion.)

The move also rattled the market. As of this writing, Nvidia shares are down nearly 3% following the disclosure, even as analysts emphasize that the sale “should not be seen as a cautious or negative stance on Nvidia,” but rather reflects SoftBank needing capital for its AI ambitions.

Wall Street can’t help but wonder: does Son see something right now that others do not? Judging by his track record, maybe — and that ambiguity is all investors have to go on.

Source link
#SoftBanks #Nvidia #sale #rattles #market #raises #questions #TechCrunch

Tag

Related Posts


April 26 is Alien Day, and Disney’s celebrating the occasion with a big new piece of xenomorph merch.

That would be an animatronic Xenomorph that stands at 6 feet and 8 inches tall. Sculpted in detail to look like it came from the movies, the animatronic also moves like the iconic monster—it’s got an inner mouth, and the torso moves in a side-to-side motion. For Alien fans with indoor space or a covered porch to put it and $450 to spend, the Xenomorph animatronic may be for you, and you can order it from Spirit Halloween starting today.

 

The Alien franchise got some recent news courtesy of Noah Hawley. Speaking about Alien: Earth, Hawley told Deadline shooting for season two would happen this summer, and teased he’s got an endpoint in mind. Whether he gets there or not is entirely up to the audience, but he thinks the show and overall franchise could go on for “a very long time if we nurture them.”

As for the movies, there’s not much news on the sequel to Alien: Romulus other than it exists. Last year, we learned Fede Álvarez would return to co-write its script and produce, but not direct. Instead, that duty will go to someone else, but Disney’s yet to announce a name. We’ll report once the news breaks.

In the meantime, there’s the animatronic Xenomorph, which will be perfect for Halloween—or even just as a buddy any time you rewatch the Alien films.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Scare #Neighbors #LifeSize #Alien #Animatronic #ExclusiveAlien,Alien: Earth,Alien: Romulus,Xenomoprh">Scare Your Neighbors With Life-Size ‘Alien’ Animatronic (Exclusive) April 26 is Alien Day, and Disney’s celebrating the occasion with a big new piece of xenomorph merch. That would be an animatronic Xenomorph that stands at 6 feet and 8 inches tall. Sculpted in detail to look like it came from the movies, the animatronic also moves like the iconic monster—it’s got an inner mouth, and the torso moves in a side-to-side motion. For Alien fans with indoor space or a covered porch to put it and 0 to spend, the Xenomorph animatronic may be for you, and you can order it from Spirit Halloween starting today.   The Alien franchise got some recent news courtesy of Noah Hawley. Speaking about Alien: Earth, Hawley told Deadline shooting for season two would happen this summer, and teased he’s got an endpoint in mind. Whether he gets there or not is entirely up to the audience, but he thinks the show and overall franchise could go on for “a very long time if we nurture them.” As for the movies, there’s not much news on the sequel to Alien: Romulus other than it exists. Last year, we learned Fede Álvarez would return to co-write its script and produce, but not direct. Instead, that duty will go to someone else, but Disney’s yet to announce a name. We’ll report once the news breaks. In the meantime, there’s the animatronic Xenomorph, which will be perfect for Halloween—or even just as a buddy any time you rewatch the Alien films. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Scare #Neighbors #LifeSize #Alien #Animatronic #ExclusiveAlien,Alien: Earth,Alien: Romulus,Xenomoprh

Alien Day, and Disney’s celebrating the occasion with a big new piece of xenomorph merch.

That would be an animatronic Xenomorph that stands at 6 feet and 8 inches tall. Sculpted in detail to look like it came from the movies, the animatronic also moves like the iconic monster—it’s got an inner mouth, and the torso moves in a side-to-side motion. For Alien fans with indoor space or a covered porch to put it and $450 to spend, the Xenomorph animatronic may be for you, and you can order it from Spirit Halloween starting today.

 

The Alien franchise got some recent news courtesy of Noah Hawley. Speaking about Alien: Earth, Hawley told Deadline shooting for season two would happen this summer, and teased he’s got an endpoint in mind. Whether he gets there or not is entirely up to the audience, but he thinks the show and overall franchise could go on for “a very long time if we nurture them.”

As for the movies, there’s not much news on the sequel to Alien: Romulus other than it exists. Last year, we learned Fede Álvarez would return to co-write its script and produce, but not direct. Instead, that duty will go to someone else, but Disney’s yet to announce a name. We’ll report once the news breaks.

In the meantime, there’s the animatronic Xenomorph, which will be perfect for Halloween—or even just as a buddy any time you rewatch the Alien films.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Scare #Neighbors #LifeSize #Alien #Animatronic #ExclusiveAlien,Alien: Earth,Alien: Romulus,Xenomoprh">Scare Your Neighbors With Life-Size ‘Alien’ Animatronic (Exclusive)Scare Your Neighbors With Life-Size ‘Alien’ Animatronic (Exclusive) April 26 is Alien Day, and Disney’s celebrating the occasion with a big new piece of xenomorph merch. That would be an animatronic Xenomorph that stands at 6 feet and 8 inches tall. Sculpted in detail to look like it came from the movies, the animatronic also moves like the iconic monster—it’s got an inner mouth, and the torso moves in a side-to-side motion. For Alien fans with indoor space or a covered porch to put it and $450 to spend, the Xenomorph animatronic may be for you, and you can order it from Spirit Halloween starting today.   The Alien franchise got some recent news courtesy of Noah Hawley. Speaking about Alien: Earth, Hawley told Deadline shooting for season two would happen this summer, and teased he’s got an endpoint in mind. Whether he gets there or not is entirely up to the audience, but he thinks the show and overall franchise could go on for “a very long time if we nurture them.” As for the movies, there’s not much news on the sequel to Alien: Romulus other than it exists. Last year, we learned Fede Álvarez would return to co-write its script and produce, but not direct. Instead, that duty will go to someone else, but Disney’s yet to announce a name. We’ll report once the news breaks. In the meantime, there’s the animatronic Xenomorph, which will be perfect for Halloween—or even just as a buddy any time you rewatch the Alien films. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Scare #Neighbors #LifeSize #Alien #Animatronic #ExclusiveAlien,Alien: Earth,Alien: Romulus,Xenomoprh

April 26 is Alien Day, and Disney’s celebrating the occasion with a big new piece of xenomorph merch.

That would be an animatronic Xenomorph that stands at 6 feet and 8 inches tall. Sculpted in detail to look like it came from the movies, the animatronic also moves like the iconic monster—it’s got an inner mouth, and the torso moves in a side-to-side motion. For Alien fans with indoor space or a covered porch to put it and $450 to spend, the Xenomorph animatronic may be for you, and you can order it from Spirit Halloween starting today.

 

The Alien franchise got some recent news courtesy of Noah Hawley. Speaking about Alien: Earth, Hawley told Deadline shooting for season two would happen this summer, and teased he’s got an endpoint in mind. Whether he gets there or not is entirely up to the audience, but he thinks the show and overall franchise could go on for “a very long time if we nurture them.”

As for the movies, there’s not much news on the sequel to Alien: Romulus other than it exists. Last year, we learned Fede Álvarez would return to co-write its script and produce, but not direct. Instead, that duty will go to someone else, but Disney’s yet to announce a name. We’ll report once the news breaks.

In the meantime, there’s the animatronic Xenomorph, which will be perfect for Halloween—or even just as a buddy any time you rewatch the Alien films.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Scare #Neighbors #LifeSize #Alien #Animatronic #ExclusiveAlien,Alien: Earth,Alien: Romulus,Xenomoprh

Kindle Holders

Hate holding up your Kindle? Or struggle with chronic pain that makes holding it feel terrible? These holders will literally take the weight out of your hands.

Lamicall

Gooseneck iPad Holder

This holder works for Kindles and tablets alike, and even my Nintendo Switch. The clamp base lets you attach it to tables and furniture, and it’s easy to position in front of or even above you if you wanted to lie down and read.

Lamicall

Tablet Pillow Stand Holder

If you want something that’s freestanding, this pillow tablet stand holder works great for a Kindle. I use it on the couch, and I can sit up or lounge back and adjust the stand arm to suit my position. There are also two built-in cup and snack holders. Lamicall says they’re food safe, but I just use it to hold my tea mug and phone.

A Freestanding Charger

Looking to keep your Kindle charged without adding another cord to the floor of your desk or bedside table? Same. Here’s a more stylish solution if you have one of the Signature editions.

Anker

Wireless Charging Dock for Kindle

This wireless charging dock is made by Anker for Kindles, specifically for Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft’s seven-inch Signature editions. Those versions have wireless charging capabilities, and this stand takes advantage of that with charging coils that line up with the back of the Kindle, where the wireless charging is. You’ll want to take off any MagSafe cases; leaving mine on made the little light on the charging dock flash until I took it off.

A Kindle Page Turner

The hottest new item to get as a Kindle lover is a page turner. They’re especially handy for holders like the ones above, where your hands aren’t already on the device, and can make for a great accessibility accessory for readers with different needs.

My biggest irritation with these devices so far is that you have to charge them both individually, and if one runs out of battery, the whole thing is useless. I also don’t love that the turner does tend to block at least one letter while I read, and you can’t place it on the lower or upper margins since it’ll activate the menus instead of turning the page. Still, it makes reading ultra comfortable, especially for my strained wrists.

Here’s my favorite one so far, that’s been solid at holding a charge, and next I’m testing this remote ($15) with a wearable ring clicker instead of a remote.

#Kindle #Accessories #Heres #Startkindle,e-books,books,e-readers,tablets,shopping">Your Kindle Is Better With Accessories. Here’s Where to StartKindle HoldersHate holding up your Kindle? Or struggle with chronic pain that makes holding it feel terrible? These holders will literally take the weight out of your hands.LamicallGooseneck iPad HolderThis holder works for Kindles and tablets alike, and even my Nintendo Switch. The clamp base lets you attach it to tables and furniture, and it’s easy to position in front of or even above you if you wanted to lie down and read. LamicallTablet Pillow Stand HolderIf you want something that’s freestanding, this pillow tablet stand holder works great for a Kindle. I use it on the couch, and I can sit up or lounge back and adjust the stand arm to suit my position. There are also two built-in cup and snack holders. Lamicall says they’re food safe, but I just use it to hold my tea mug and phone. A Freestanding ChargerLooking to keep your Kindle charged without adding another cord to the floor of your desk or bedside table? Same. Here’s a more stylish solution if you have one of the Signature editions.AnkerWireless Charging Dock for KindleThis wireless charging dock is made by Anker for Kindles, specifically for Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft’s seven-inch Signature editions. Those versions have wireless charging capabilities, and this stand takes advantage of that with charging coils that line up with the back of the Kindle, where the wireless charging is. You’ll want to take off any MagSafe cases; leaving mine on made the little light on the charging dock flash until I took it off. A Kindle Page TurnerThe hottest new item to get as a Kindle lover is a page turner. They’re especially handy for holders like the ones above, where your hands aren’t already on the device, and can make for a great accessibility accessory for readers with different needs.My biggest irritation with these devices so far is that you have to charge them both individually, and if one runs out of battery, the whole thing is useless. I also don’t love that the turner does tend to block at least one letter while I read, and you can’t place it on the lower or upper margins since it’ll activate the menus instead of turning the page. Still, it makes reading ultra comfortable, especially for my strained wrists.Here’s my favorite one so far, that’s been solid at holding a charge, and next I’m testing this remote () with a wearable ring clicker instead of a remote.#Kindle #Accessories #Heres #Startkindle,e-books,books,e-readers,tablets,shopping

struggle with chronic pain that makes holding it feel terrible? These holders will literally take the weight out of your hands.

Lamicall

Gooseneck iPad Holder

This holder works for Kindles and tablets alike, and even my Nintendo Switch. The clamp base lets you attach it to tables and furniture, and it’s easy to position in front of or even above you if you wanted to lie down and read.

Lamicall

Tablet Pillow Stand Holder

If you want something that’s freestanding, this pillow tablet stand holder works great for a Kindle. I use it on the couch, and I can sit up or lounge back and adjust the stand arm to suit my position. There are also two built-in cup and snack holders. Lamicall says they’re food safe, but I just use it to hold my tea mug and phone.

A Freestanding Charger

Looking to keep your Kindle charged without adding another cord to the floor of your desk or bedside table? Same. Here’s a more stylish solution if you have one of the Signature editions.

Anker

Wireless Charging Dock for Kindle

This wireless charging dock is made by Anker for Kindles, specifically for Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft’s seven-inch Signature editions. Those versions have wireless charging capabilities, and this stand takes advantage of that with charging coils that line up with the back of the Kindle, where the wireless charging is. You’ll want to take off any MagSafe cases; leaving mine on made the little light on the charging dock flash until I took it off.

A Kindle Page Turner

The hottest new item to get as a Kindle lover is a page turner. They’re especially handy for holders like the ones above, where your hands aren’t already on the device, and can make for a great accessibility accessory for readers with different needs.

My biggest irritation with these devices so far is that you have to charge them both individually, and if one runs out of battery, the whole thing is useless. I also don’t love that the turner does tend to block at least one letter while I read, and you can’t place it on the lower or upper margins since it’ll activate the menus instead of turning the page. Still, it makes reading ultra comfortable, especially for my strained wrists.

Here’s my favorite one so far, that’s been solid at holding a charge, and next I’m testing this remote ($15) with a wearable ring clicker instead of a remote.

#Kindle #Accessories #Heres #Startkindle,e-books,books,e-readers,tablets,shopping">Your Kindle Is Better With Accessories. Here’s Where to Start

Kindle Holders

Hate holding up your Kindle? Or struggle with chronic pain that makes holding it feel terrible? These holders will literally take the weight out of your hands.

Lamicall

Gooseneck iPad Holder

This holder works for Kindles and tablets alike, and even my Nintendo Switch. The clamp base lets you attach it to tables and furniture, and it’s easy to position in front of or even above you if you wanted to lie down and read.

Lamicall

Tablet Pillow Stand Holder

If you want something that’s freestanding, this pillow tablet stand holder works great for a Kindle. I use it on the couch, and I can sit up or lounge back and adjust the stand arm to suit my position. There are also two built-in cup and snack holders. Lamicall says they’re food safe, but I just use it to hold my tea mug and phone.

A Freestanding Charger

Looking to keep your Kindle charged without adding another cord to the floor of your desk or bedside table? Same. Here’s a more stylish solution if you have one of the Signature editions.

Anker

Wireless Charging Dock for Kindle

This wireless charging dock is made by Anker for Kindles, specifically for Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft’s seven-inch Signature editions. Those versions have wireless charging capabilities, and this stand takes advantage of that with charging coils that line up with the back of the Kindle, where the wireless charging is. You’ll want to take off any MagSafe cases; leaving mine on made the little light on the charging dock flash until I took it off.

A Kindle Page Turner

The hottest new item to get as a Kindle lover is a page turner. They’re especially handy for holders like the ones above, where your hands aren’t already on the device, and can make for a great accessibility accessory for readers with different needs.

My biggest irritation with these devices so far is that you have to charge them both individually, and if one runs out of battery, the whole thing is useless. I also don’t love that the turner does tend to block at least one letter while I read, and you can’t place it on the lower or upper margins since it’ll activate the menus instead of turning the page. Still, it makes reading ultra comfortable, especially for my strained wrists.

Here’s my favorite one so far, that’s been solid at holding a charge, and next I’m testing this remote ($15) with a wearable ring clicker instead of a remote.

#Kindle #Accessories #Heres #Startkindle,e-books,books,e-readers,tablets,shopping

There are a lot of valid reasons for looking for a hookup and you certainly don’t need to justify your quest for a fling to us.

If you want to protect your privacy or at least keep a low profile while you swipe through sexy singles in your area, there are a few different approaches you can take, some general guidance that works across all apps and sites, and some more targeted advice depending on the service you’re using.

General tips for browsing hookup apps discreetly

The following tips work well across all hookup sites. Think of them as general guidelines for limiting your exposure:

Hookup apps for everyone

AdultFriendFinder — readers’ pick for casual connections

Tinder — top pick for finding hookups

Hinge — popular choice for regular meetups

  • Sign up using an alternative email address. Not only does this spare you in the event of a data breach (and trust us: they’re more common than you would think), but it also means that no one who catches a glance at your inbox will ever find out which hookup sites you frequent.

  • Anonymize your photos as far as possible. You don’t have to blur your face, but neither should you be taking photos of yourself that could show someone what neighborhood you live in or where you work. Additionally, ensure you leave out any identifying marks, such as unique tattoos, from any of your profile photos.  

  • Don’t link your social media in your profile. Too many people share their Instagram pages or TikTok handles in their profiles, but doing so dramatically increases your exposure, since every image and story you post there could inadvertently contain identifying information about you, from who your friends are to where you hang out.  

  • Take advantage of gift cards or prepaid credit cards. If you opt to purchase a premium membership to a hookup app or site, the paper trail linking your bank account or credit card to the service is a definite liability. To maximize your anonymity, use a prepaid card or purchase a gift card rather than using your main credit or debit card to register your membership. 

App-specific tips to retain your anonymity

Feeld

For the privacy-conscious dater, Feeld’s Incognito mode is a game-changer: you can scout the Discover feed without leaving a digital footprint, remaining invisible to anyone you haven’t explicitly “liked.” The app also supports private photo vaults that only unlock for confirmed connections.

Tinder

Tinder offers a few unique features that can help you lower your profile, even as you swipe away. First, consider turning off Discovery mode when you’re trying to keep a low profile. This will make it impossible for new people to find your profile in search without preventing you from speaking to the people you’ve already matched with.

If you really want to take things up a notch and you already have a Tinder Plus, Gold or Platinum membership, you can use Passport Mode to browse singles in a nearby city, or a place you’re travelling to for work or on a vacation. This is a great way to prevent your local friends and family from accidentally coming across your profile. 

You can also block phone numbers if you really don’t want certain individuals coming across your profile, like your boss or sibling.

Grindr

The first line of defence on Grindr is a relatively new feature called Profile Hide that works on one user at a time. Say, for example, you come across a co-worker on the app, and don’t want them to know you’re also using it. Simply click on their profile and find the Hide icon. If you tap this, your profile will become invisible to them and their profile will become invisible to you, like magic.

If you want to take things up a notch, you’ll need a Grindr Unlimited membership, which unlocks a really useful privacy feature called Incignito mode, which essentially allows you to use the service in total secrecy, without anyone knowing you’re there until you initiate an interaction. 

AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder is like the Wild West of hookup sites, a place where seemingly anything goes, but that carefree attitude can also be a privacy nightmare. We strongly recommend you limit the amount of identifiable information you put on your profile, including being very selective about which photos you choose to share.

One good way to strike a balance between total anonymity and a modicum of privacy is to take advantage of AFF’s many photo features, specifically their photo permissions options. You can make your main profile photo something reasonably discrete, such as a full-length picture of you wearing a hat or a photo shot from a distance or even a photo with your face blurred out, but then you can create a photo album of more identifiable, personal photos that you choose to share only with friends. 

That way, you become the final gatekeeper over your photos, allowing you to be selective about who you share them with.

#tips #hookup #apps #discretely #advice #Feeld #Tinder #AdultFriendFinder #Grindr">4 tips for using hookup apps discretely — advice for Feeld, Tinder, AdultFriendFinder, and Grindr There are a lot of valid reasons for looking for a hookup and you certainly don’t need to justify your quest for a fling to us.If you want to protect your privacy or at least keep a low profile while you swipe through sexy singles in your area, there are a few different approaches you can take, some general guidance that works across all apps and sites, and some more targeted advice depending on the service you’re using.General tips for browsing hookup apps discreetlyThe following tips work well across all hookup sites. Think of them as general guidelines for limiting your exposure: Hookup apps for everyone AdultFriendFinder — readers’ pick for casual connections Tinder — top pick for finding hookups Hinge — popular choice for regular meetups Sign up using an alternative email address. Not only does this spare you in the event of a data breach (and trust us: they’re more common than you would think), but it also means that no one who catches a glance at your inbox will ever find out which hookup sites you frequent.Anonymize your photos as far as possible. You don’t have to blur your face, but neither should you be taking photos of yourself that could show someone what neighborhood you live in or where you work. Additionally, ensure you leave out any identifying marks, such as unique tattoos, from any of your profile photos.  Don’t link your social media in your profile. Too many people share their Instagram pages or TikTok handles in their profiles, but doing so dramatically increases your exposure, since every image and story you post there could inadvertently contain identifying information about you, from who your friends are to where you hang out.  Take advantage of gift cards or prepaid credit cards. If you opt to purchase a premium membership to a hookup app or site, the paper trail linking your bank account or credit card to the service is a definite liability. To maximize your anonymity, use a prepaid card or purchase a gift card rather than using your main credit or debit card to register your membership. App-specific tips to retain your anonymityFeeldFor the privacy-conscious dater, Feeld’s Incognito mode is a game-changer: you can scout the Discover feed without leaving a digital footprint, remaining invisible to anyone you haven’t explicitly “liked.” The app also supports private photo vaults that only unlock for confirmed connections. TinderTinder offers a few unique features that can help you lower your profile, even as you swipe away. First, consider turning off Discovery mode when you’re trying to keep a low profile. This will make it impossible for new people to find your profile in search without preventing you from speaking to the people you’ve already matched with. Mashable Trend Report If you really want to take things up a notch and you already have a Tinder Plus, Gold or Platinum membership, you can use Passport Mode to browse singles in a nearby city, or a place you’re travelling to for work or on a vacation. This is a great way to prevent your local friends and family from accidentally coming across your profile. You can also block phone numbers if you really don’t want certain individuals coming across your profile, like your boss or sibling.GrindrThe first line of defence on Grindr is a relatively new feature called Profile Hide that works on one user at a time. Say, for example, you come across a co-worker on the app, and don’t want them to know you’re also using it. Simply click on their profile and find the Hide icon. If you tap this, your profile will become invisible to them and their profile will become invisible to you, like magic.If you want to take things up a notch, you’ll need a Grindr Unlimited membership, which unlocks a really useful privacy feature called Incignito mode, which essentially allows you to use the service in total secrecy, without anyone knowing you’re there until you initiate an interaction. AdultFriendFinderAdultFriendFinder is like the Wild West of hookup sites, a place where seemingly anything goes, but that carefree attitude can also be a privacy nightmare. We strongly recommend you limit the amount of identifiable information you put on your profile, including being very selective about which photos you choose to share.One good way to strike a balance between total anonymity and a modicum of privacy is to take advantage of AFF’s many photo features, specifically their photo permissions options. You can make your main profile photo something reasonably discrete, such as a full-length picture of you wearing a hat or a photo shot from a distance or even a photo with your face blurred out, but then you can create a photo album of more identifiable, personal photos that you choose to share only with friends. That way, you become the final gatekeeper over your photos, allowing you to be selective about who you share them with. #tips #hookup #apps #discretely #advice #Feeld #Tinder #AdultFriendFinder #Grindr

hookup and you certainly don’t need to justify your quest for a fling to us.

If you want to protect your privacy or at least keep a low profile while you swipe through sexy singles in your area, there are a few different approaches you can take, some general guidance that works across all apps and sites, and some more targeted advice depending on the service you’re using.

General tips for browsing hookup apps discreetly

The following tips work well across all hookup sites. Think of them as general guidelines for limiting your exposure:

Hookup apps for everyone

AdultFriendFinder — readers’ pick for casual connections

Tinder — top pick for finding hookups

Hinge — popular choice for regular meetups

  • Sign up using an alternative email address. Not only does this spare you in the event of a data breach (and trust us: they’re more common than you would think), but it also means that no one who catches a glance at your inbox will ever find out which hookup sites you frequent.

  • Anonymize your photos as far as possible. You don’t have to blur your face, but neither should you be taking photos of yourself that could show someone what neighborhood you live in or where you work. Additionally, ensure you leave out any identifying marks, such as unique tattoos, from any of your profile photos.  

  • Don’t link your social media in your profile. Too many people share their Instagram pages or TikTok handles in their profiles, but doing so dramatically increases your exposure, since every image and story you post there could inadvertently contain identifying information about you, from who your friends are to where you hang out.  

  • Take advantage of gift cards or prepaid credit cards. If you opt to purchase a premium membership to a hookup app or site, the paper trail linking your bank account or credit card to the service is a definite liability. To maximize your anonymity, use a prepaid card or purchase a gift card rather than using your main credit or debit card to register your membership. 

App-specific tips to retain your anonymity

Feeld

For the privacy-conscious dater, Feeld’s Incognito mode is a game-changer: you can scout the Discover feed without leaving a digital footprint, remaining invisible to anyone you haven’t explicitly “liked.” The app also supports private photo vaults that only unlock for confirmed connections.

Tinder

Tinder offers a few unique features that can help you lower your profile, even as you swipe away. First, consider turning off Discovery mode when you’re trying to keep a low profile. This will make it impossible for new people to find your profile in search without preventing you from speaking to the people you’ve already matched with.

If you really want to take things up a notch and you already have a Tinder Plus, Gold or Platinum membership, you can use Passport Mode to browse singles in a nearby city, or a place you’re travelling to for work or on a vacation. This is a great way to prevent your local friends and family from accidentally coming across your profile. 

You can also block phone numbers if you really don’t want certain individuals coming across your profile, like your boss or sibling.

Grindr

The first line of defence on Grindr is a relatively new feature called Profile Hide that works on one user at a time. Say, for example, you come across a co-worker on the app, and don’t want them to know you’re also using it. Simply click on their profile and find the Hide icon. If you tap this, your profile will become invisible to them and their profile will become invisible to you, like magic.

If you want to take things up a notch, you’ll need a Grindr Unlimited membership, which unlocks a really useful privacy feature called Incignito mode, which essentially allows you to use the service in total secrecy, without anyone knowing you’re there until you initiate an interaction. 

AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder is like the Wild West of hookup sites, a place where seemingly anything goes, but that carefree attitude can also be a privacy nightmare. We strongly recommend you limit the amount of identifiable information you put on your profile, including being very selective about which photos you choose to share.

One good way to strike a balance between total anonymity and a modicum of privacy is to take advantage of AFF’s many photo features, specifically their photo permissions options. You can make your main profile photo something reasonably discrete, such as a full-length picture of you wearing a hat or a photo shot from a distance or even a photo with your face blurred out, but then you can create a photo album of more identifiable, personal photos that you choose to share only with friends. 

That way, you become the final gatekeeper over your photos, allowing you to be selective about who you share them with.

#tips #hookup #apps #discretely #advice #Feeld #Tinder #AdultFriendFinder #Grindr">4 tips for using hookup apps discretely — advice for Feeld, Tinder, AdultFriendFinder, and Grindr

There are a lot of valid reasons for looking for a hookup and you certainly don’t need to justify your quest for a fling to us.

If you want to protect your privacy or at least keep a low profile while you swipe through sexy singles in your area, there are a few different approaches you can take, some general guidance that works across all apps and sites, and some more targeted advice depending on the service you’re using.

General tips for browsing hookup apps discreetly

The following tips work well across all hookup sites. Think of them as general guidelines for limiting your exposure:

Hookup apps for everyone

AdultFriendFinder — readers’ pick for casual connections

Tinder — top pick for finding hookups

Hinge — popular choice for regular meetups

  • Sign up using an alternative email address. Not only does this spare you in the event of a data breach (and trust us: they’re more common than you would think), but it also means that no one who catches a glance at your inbox will ever find out which hookup sites you frequent.

  • Anonymize your photos as far as possible. You don’t have to blur your face, but neither should you be taking photos of yourself that could show someone what neighborhood you live in or where you work. Additionally, ensure you leave out any identifying marks, such as unique tattoos, from any of your profile photos.  

  • Don’t link your social media in your profile. Too many people share their Instagram pages or TikTok handles in their profiles, but doing so dramatically increases your exposure, since every image and story you post there could inadvertently contain identifying information about you, from who your friends are to where you hang out.  

  • Take advantage of gift cards or prepaid credit cards. If you opt to purchase a premium membership to a hookup app or site, the paper trail linking your bank account or credit card to the service is a definite liability. To maximize your anonymity, use a prepaid card or purchase a gift card rather than using your main credit or debit card to register your membership. 

App-specific tips to retain your anonymity

Feeld

For the privacy-conscious dater, Feeld’s Incognito mode is a game-changer: you can scout the Discover feed without leaving a digital footprint, remaining invisible to anyone you haven’t explicitly “liked.” The app also supports private photo vaults that only unlock for confirmed connections.

Tinder

Tinder offers a few unique features that can help you lower your profile, even as you swipe away. First, consider turning off Discovery mode when you’re trying to keep a low profile. This will make it impossible for new people to find your profile in search without preventing you from speaking to the people you’ve already matched with.

If you really want to take things up a notch and you already have a Tinder Plus, Gold or Platinum membership, you can use Passport Mode to browse singles in a nearby city, or a place you’re travelling to for work or on a vacation. This is a great way to prevent your local friends and family from accidentally coming across your profile. 

You can also block phone numbers if you really don’t want certain individuals coming across your profile, like your boss or sibling.

Grindr

The first line of defence on Grindr is a relatively new feature called Profile Hide that works on one user at a time. Say, for example, you come across a co-worker on the app, and don’t want them to know you’re also using it. Simply click on their profile and find the Hide icon. If you tap this, your profile will become invisible to them and their profile will become invisible to you, like magic.

If you want to take things up a notch, you’ll need a Grindr Unlimited membership, which unlocks a really useful privacy feature called Incignito mode, which essentially allows you to use the service in total secrecy, without anyone knowing you’re there until you initiate an interaction. 

AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder is like the Wild West of hookup sites, a place where seemingly anything goes, but that carefree attitude can also be a privacy nightmare. We strongly recommend you limit the amount of identifiable information you put on your profile, including being very selective about which photos you choose to share.

One good way to strike a balance between total anonymity and a modicum of privacy is to take advantage of AFF’s many photo features, specifically their photo permissions options. You can make your main profile photo something reasonably discrete, such as a full-length picture of you wearing a hat or a photo shot from a distance or even a photo with your face blurred out, but then you can create a photo album of more identifiable, personal photos that you choose to share only with friends. 

That way, you become the final gatekeeper over your photos, allowing you to be selective about who you share them with.

#tips #hookup #apps #discretely #advice #Feeld #Tinder #AdultFriendFinder #Grindr

Post Comment