Will 9monsters expose me? I investigated the causes of and countermeasures for being outed
“I wonder if 9monsters will expose me to people around me.”
This was the thing I was most worried about when I first started using the app.
I didn't want to show my face or my name. But I wanted to meet people nearby.
How to safely fulfill that selfish wish? I had been struggling with that for a long time.
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I have used several gay dating apps for a few years.
Among them, the only thing I was always afraid of was being "outed" (having my identity revealed).
So this time, I re-examined the mechanisms and countermeasures of 9monsters using information from official sources and public institutions.
In conclusion, 9monsters can significantly reduce the risk of being outed.
However, it is risky if you leave it at the default settings. I felt this from my own experience.
The turning point was the management of three things: "location information, photos, and interactions with others."
I organized the mechanisms that are said to cause you to be "outed" on 9monsters
First, why is it said that you will be "outed"?
If you don't separate the causes, the countermeasures will also be blurred.
The causes I organized were the following three:
Location information: People nearby can accurately guess your location
Profile and photos: Individuals can be identified from faces or descriptions
Through others: Interactions can be leaked externally via screenshots or external redirection
I will look at them one by one.
9monsters is an app that uses GPS to find people nearby.
This is the source of its ease of meeting people, but it is also a gateway to being outed.
The official website also provided guidance based on the assumption of using features to hide your location.
The official site states that 9monsters has a 'camouflage feature' to blur your location. https://ninemonsters.com/ja
In other words, if you don't use the feature, your location is easily revealed.
When I read about the location accuracy in the initial settings, it sent a chill down my spine.
Also, there is another point that is easy to overlook.
Anyone can download 9monsters.
Acquaintances who are not gay might have it installed out of curiosity.
This pattern of 'accidentally running into an acquaintance' was quietly terrifying.
Settings and usage to avoid being outed via location information
The biggest factor is location information.
Just by getting this under control, the experience felt quite different.
9monsters' location information is said to be highly accurate.
With the default settings, it becomes easy for others to guess your living area.
It is easier to organize the countermeasures by dividing them into two directions.
Shifting your location (camouflage/teleportation)
First, there is the 'camouflage feature' that shifts your location slightly.
It is free to use, and you can shift your displayed location from where you actually are.
However, the shift range is not very large.
It is safer to assume that your approximate range will be conveyed to others.
If you want to shift it more significantly, there is also a paid teleport feature.
This is a mechanism that allows you to move your displayed position to a different location.
Do not show your location (turn off GPS or choose where you use it)
There is also the option of not showing your location at all.
I thought this was the most reliable method.
Do not open the app at home or at work
Use it in places away from your daily life area
Review the location permission settings on your smartphone
It is simple, but this way of using it is less likely to lead to accidents.
Self-protection regarding location information is not a special technique.
"Do not show your exact current location in your daily life area." Even just doing this makes a big difference.
Tips for avoiding identification through your profile and photos
After location, the next most effective things are your profile and photos.
This is an area where you have a wide range of control yourself.
That is exactly why it is worth refining.
For photos, you can choose not to show your face as it is.
On 9monsters, you can use photos that show only your profile, back, or upper body.
If you are worried about showing your face, you don't have to post it.
Furthermore, there is a private album feature that allows you to show photos only to people you have approved.
You can manage your account by showing photos only to people you are interested in.
Your profile text can also be a specific clue.
Do not write proper nouns such as company names or store names
Keep your occupation vague, such as "IT-related"
Avoid expressions that reveal your nearest station or daily living area
Public institutions also urge caution regarding the handling of information that could identify individuals.
The National Consumer Affairs Center has published basic knowledge on how to handle personal information you provide and how to avoid trouble. https://www.kokusen.go.jp/t_box/t_box-faq/i-4.html
Your face, your workplace, and your living area.
Just by making sure these three do not overlap, it becomes much harder to identify you.
Honestly, I also rewrote my profile many times.
Risks of being outed or becoming a victim through interactions with others or external redirection, and self-defense
Even if you tighten your settings, risks remain.
These are being outed via the other party and encountering trouble.
The content of your interactions also remains on the other person's screen.
The possibility of someone taking a screenshot and leaking it cannot be reduced to zero.
Therefore, it is a given that you should be cautious when sharing information that could identify you.
Another common issue is being directed to external services.
The flow of "Let's move to LINE" or "Register on another site."
Cases of fraud and solicitation originating from this have been reported.
Public institutions also urge caution regarding external redirection and the handling of personal information.
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan warns against easily providing personal information, as matching apps and similar services may prohibit redirection to external sites in their terms of service. https://www.kokusen.go.jp/pdf/n-20221221_1.pdf
Preventing identity exposure is not about exposing others.
It is self-defense to protect your own life.
That is something I wanted to make sure not to misunderstand.
If something makes you feel uneasy, there are places you can consult.
You can consult your nearest consumer affairs center via the Consumer Hotline at "188". https://www.kokusen.go.jp/soudan_topics/data/deaikei.html
If you are worried about identity exposure, reconsider your choice of service
Having written about these measures, I have realized something.
That "which service you use" is also part of identity exposure prevention.
9monsters is a type of service that finds people nearby using location information.
Proximity is a strength, but it requires managing your location accordingly.
The design and usability differ depending on the service.
Therefore, it is safer to compare a few before narrowing it down to one.
If you want to meet someone nearby right now → Location-based apps are suitable
If you want to take your time choosing who to meet → It is worth considering other types as well
There are other services for gay men in the world besides 9monsters.
"G!!! (Gay Dating)" is also known as one of them.
I think it's a good idea to take a look at what it's like for free first.
The important thing is not to rush into switching.
Knowing about multiple services makes it easier to choose the one that suits you best.
I also finally established my own criteria after trying out a few.
Having these options as material for comparison is helpful.
Just doing that makes dealing with anxiety a little easier.
Check the usability of G!!! on the official site
Q&A regarding being outed on 9monsters
Finally, I will summarize the questions I was curious about and researched.
Q. Does uninstalling the app stop location tracking?
If you delete the app, location updates will basically stop.
However, if you are worried, it is safer to turn off location services within the app before deleting it.
It is also a good idea to review the location permissions on your smartphone settings as well.
Q. Is there a chance I could be outed to an acquaintance who is not gay?
There is a possibility.
This is because anyone can download 9monsters.
That is precisely why the basic rule is not to reveal too much information about your face photos or where you live.
Q. Can my identity be revealed through my phone number or contact information?
The information used for registration and the information visible to others are different.
The system does not display your phone number directly to the other party.
However, if you share it yourself during your interactions, that can lead to you being identified.
I think it is sufficient to exchange contact information only after you can trust the other person.
Q. Will the other person know if I take a screenshot? Can it be prevented?
Basically, you cannot tell if the other person has taken a screenshot.
It is realistic to use the app with the assumption that it cannot be completely prevented.
Therefore, do not send images or information that would be problematic if they were saved in the first place.
This was the best countermeasure.
Conclusion: Realistic boundaries for not being identified that I found through my research
I have written about various countermeasures up to this point.
But when you get down to it, what you need to do is simple.
Do not show your exact current location in your living area
Do not combine your face, workplace, and living area in your profile
Do not give the other person information that would be problematic if it remained
Just by following these three rules, the risk is significantly reduced.
It cannot be reduced to absolute zero.
Even so, as long as you decide on your boundaries, you won't have to be more afraid than necessary.
Personally, I felt much more at ease once I decided on these boundaries.
If you feel like you want to reconsider from the app's design, please try comparing other services.
First, try it for free to get a feel for the atmosphere. That is more than enough to start.
May you find encounters safely at your own pace.