Northern say don't use dating apps on the train

[dcsprior]

Are there many dating apps where that's common? More so than Twitter or Reddit?

It depends what is meant by "dating apps".

There are apps which exist for the purpose of finding a partner for a casual sex, but are euphemistically referred to as "dating apps" by their users and owners. Probably the best known is example is Tinder - AFAIK no-one uses it to find someone to go on a date with, they use it to find someone to have some no-strings sex with.

And I guess if an app exists to find someone to have sex with, it's fairly likely that two people who're going to to have sex with each other will share nude pics so they know what they're getting before agreeing to it.

PS I'm not speaking from personal experience, I've been in a relationship since long before these things existed - but I've had conversations with friends who have Tinder and not one of them was looking for people to date, rather someone to have sex with (as were the other parties involved and I don't judge that - but it does make it confusing when people refer to "dating apps").

 

[Egg Centric]

It depends what is meant by "dating apps".

There are apps which exist for the purpose of finding a partner for a casual sex, but are euphemistically referred to as "dating apps" by their users and owners. Probably the best known is example is Tinder - AFAIK no-one uses it to find someone to go on a date with, they use it to find someone to have some no-strings sex with.

And I guess if an app exists to find someone to have sex with, it's fairly likely that two people who're going to to have sex with each other will share nude pics so they know what they're getting before agreeing to it.

PS I'm not speaking from personal experience, I've been in a relationship since long before these things existed - but I've had conversations with friends who have Tinder and not one of them was looking for people to date, rather someone to have sex with (as were the other parties involved and I don't judge that - but it does make it confusing when people refer to "dating apps").

You're wrong about Tinder, it has many uses. I met my wife on it (admittedly I wasn't looking for a wife on it but that's by the by) and know plenty of others who have had long term relationships from it, and it's also useful when visiting places on your own to meet people to show you around the city or whatever.

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

Anyone with an ounce of sense will be using a VPN these days, which would probably bypass this sort of moderation in any event. If you're not using a VPN, especially when you are connecting to open/ public networks, I can only strongly recommend you get a reputable one.

I’m never convinced by the whole VPN argument. It just means the VPN operator has your traffic rather than someone closer to home. I can see why you might want to use them to get round filters or geo blocking, but your data still exits the VPN and traverses the internet anyways…

I think it's really inappropriate to look at any sexually explicit content on public transport

Agreed. Bloke on the train was using something of that nature in front of me the other week, and while I’m quite happy for him to watch it, I really do feel it’s best kept out of the view of other people. I felt particularly sorry for the poor lady who had to sit next to him when he didn’t turn it off, or make any attempt to hide what he was doing.

Am I imagining things, or was Realtime Trains once blocked on an operator? Forgot whom.

I think Avanti do this, I certainly couldn’t access it last time I was on their WiFi a few months back.

 

[DJ_K666]

Yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if the mainstream VPNs are also blocked on the WiFi to prevent exactly that.

Maybe. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if they did, if they've even thought of that.
Obviously if you were viewing such sites for any reason you'd be better off just using your phone's own 5G capabilities.*
And why would Avanti block RTT?

*Which is great until your train enters a tunnel.

 

[Qwerty133]

It depends what is meant by "dating apps".

There are apps which exist for the purpose of finding a partner for a casual sex, but are euphemistically referred to as "dating apps" by their users and owners. Probably the best known is example is Tinder - AFAIK no-one uses it to find someone to go on a date with, they use it to find someone to have some no-strings sex with.

And I guess if an app exists to find someone to have sex with, it's fairly likely that two people who're going to to have sex with each other will share nude pics so they know what they're getting before agreeing to it.

PS I'm not speaking from personal experience, I've been in a relationship since long before these things existed - but I've had conversations with friends who have Tinder and not one of them was looking for people to date, rather someone to have sex with (as were the other parties involved and I don't judge that - but it does make it confusing when people refer to "dating apps").

Whilst I disagree with your opinion of tinder (and even those using it for hookups are typically appropriately clothed on their profiles) it is certainly true that apps exist with that purpose and I can certainly see why it’s easier for TOCs to have a blanket ban on dating apps than manually decide on which apps are appropriate. A blanket ban also prevents any claims of discrimination given that some of the best known LGBT+ apps would fall foul of such a ban whereas most of the more popular ‘straight’ apps would not (although I think in reality most of these apps will also have people looking for same sex partners).

 

[Harvey B]

Does anyone have a full list of apps banned? I've read somewhere that Netflix is apparently included in this as well

 

[Crossover]

Does anyone have a full list of apps banned? I've read somewhere that Netflix is apparently included in this as well

Blocking Netflix would be sensible as it is a bandwidth hog

I don’t think anyone will have a list of what’s restricted. It’ll probably vary by operator and will probably be a dynamic group (and some things will almost certainly be miscategorised)

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Actually, around here it is the other way round; many places along the Calder Valley line (even the bits that are above ground!) have a hopeless data connection. I usually log-in to Northern's wifi, especially if travelling alone. My personal peeve with them is that they block access to CAMRA's Good Beer Guide app.

Enjoyment of beer, along with a number of other activities, will probably be next on the target list for our wonderful new government...

It depends what is meant by "dating apps".

There are apps which exist for the purpose of finding a partner for a casual sex, but are euphemistically referred to as "dating apps" by their users and owners. Probably the best known is example is Tinder - AFAIK no-one uses it to find someone to go on a date with, they use it to find someone to have some no-strings sex with.

And I guess if an app exists to find someone to have sex with, it's fairly likely that two people who're going to to have sex with each other will share nude pics so they know what they're getting before agreeing to it.

PS I'm not speaking from personal experience, I've been in a relationship since long before these things existed - but I've had conversations with friends who have Tinder and not one of them was looking for people to date, rather someone to have sex with (as were the other parties involved and I don't judge that - but it does make it confusing when people refer to "dating apps").

I'm not sure that Northern (or their Department for Transport overlords) should be in the business of policing how people choose to pursue romantic interests.

 

[DarloRich]

I cannot see why anyone on a train would need to use a dating app. After all, my local paper’s website says that there are hundreds of hot women just waiting to talk to me.

but what happens AFTER they have talked to you?

I'm not sure that Northern (or their Department for Transport overlords) should be in the business of policing how people choose to pursue romantic interests.

Agreed - however perhaps they should block someone's interest in , erm, hardcore educational action, at least in public! You shouldn't be looking at inappropriate material in a public place. I am sure we all know not to do that but I have seen people who don't ( and more than once or twice)

 

[TUC]

My personal peeve with them is that they block access to CAMRA's Good Beer Guide app.

That seems a perfect example of ridiculous puritanism by a TOC.

 

[DarloRich]

That seems a perfect example of ridiculous puritanism by a TOC.

It will just be a standard topic block. Unless, that is, someone at Northern HQ has a real downer on real ale!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

but what happens AFTER they have talked to you?


Agreed - however perhaps they should block someone's interest in , erm, hardcore educational action, at least in public! You shouldn't be looking at inappropriate material in a public place. I am sure we all know not to do that but I have seen people who don't ( and more than once or twice)

Agree 100%. I've never seen the appeal of viewing such material, especially in public... but I've heard tales of people doing so. Perhaps it's some form of "peacocking" for some blokes?

Thing is, Northern's PR team didn't announce a pr0n (to use the internet shorthand) block, they announced a block on dating sites- which are not the same thing.

 

[greatkingrat]

Agree 100%. I've never seen the appeal of viewing such material, especially in public... but I've heard tales of people doing so. Perhaps it's some form of "peacocking" for some blokes?

Thing is, Northern's PR team didn't announce a pr0n (to use the internet shorthand) block, they announced a block on dating sites- which are not the same thing.

I would assume "adult" sites have always been blocked.

 

[TUC]

It will just be a standard topic block. Unless, that is, someone at Northern HQ has a real downer on real ale!

But why block 'alcohol' as a topic? Do Northern think we're so weak minded that if we read a website that mentions it we'll have a sudden desire to get blind drunk?

 

[DarloRich]

they announced a block on dating sites- which are not the same thing.

some are quite graphic tbh. Not p orn but not family friendly. Like i said above E harmony type sites aren't going to be the issue. ( some of these sites can be a bit more erm "enjoyment" focused rather than relationship focused. !)

I would assume "adult" sites have always been blocked.

not always, no. ( at least not in the early days. The providers have got a bit better at blocking such things now )

But why block 'alcohol' as a topic? Do Northern think we're so weak minded that if we read a website that mentions it we'll have a sudden desire to get blind drunk?

it is more the age specific nature of it. I would suspect Paddy Power is also blocked

 

[TUC]

]

it is more the age specific nature of it. I would suspect Paddy Power is also blocked

Even though children and teenagers can freely access these sites at home in their bedroom. It seems an odd kind of person at Northern who is concerned to be able to say 'but at least it wasn't on our wifi that they accessed the site'.

 

[DarloRich]

Even though children and teenagers can freely access these sites at home in their bedroom. It seems an odd kind of person at Northern who is concerned to be able to say 'but at least it wasn't on our wifi that they accessed the site'.

It is reputation management. No bad headlines.

 

[talldave]

Does anyone have a full list of apps banned? I've read somewhere that Netflix is apparently included in this as well

Was it in the Labour manifesto? Or wasn't there a nanny state section ?

 

[Starmill]

Several further tweets:

But seriously..

Our on board WiFi is delivered under the Friendly WiFi scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content.

This is important to us as we know that there are children on our trains!

#NorthernTrains

"No online dating on our trains!"

x.com

x.com

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

though children and teenagers can freely access these sites at home in their bedroom. It seems an odd kind of person at Northern who is concerned to be able to say 'but at least it wasn't on our wifi that they accessed the site'.

Yes, and a similar argument will be spouted by pretty much every school you ask the same question of - they’re all totally focused on blocking any chance kids get access to “harmful” sites using their devices in school, seemingly oblivious to the fact they’ll be able to use the same phone on 4G and bypass the schools blocks completely.

It’s all about being able to prove if anything bad happens, it’s someone else’s fault. I suspect, rather than genuine concern about people’s welfare.

 

[DJ_K666]

I think Avanti do this, I certainly couldn’t access it last time I was on their WiFi a few months back

Must be all those suggestive reveals of what platform your train is at

It is reputation management. No bad headlines.

Funny thing to be concerned about, really, since Northern's reputation is already sh--- not good.

 

[jfollows]

I think Avanti do this, I certainly couldn’t access it last time I was on their WiFi a few months back.

Avanti seem over-zealous; they appear to block port 993 which I use for secure email access meaning that I can't read my emails when I'm connected to their wifi, but I just turn wi-fi off and I'm OK. I don't use them often enough to care about working round their zealousness, and in general I now find onboard wifi a solution to a problem from ten years ago.

 

[DarloRich]

Must be all those suggestive reveals of what platform your train is at

Funny thing to be concerned about, really, since Northern's reputation is already sh--- not good.

Ok . But you do t have to let It get worse

 

[nw1]

View attachment 165638
This article really seems like a non-issue. They're blocking things which are largely already blocked on most public Wi-Fis, especially when anyone underage could have access to it.
Perhaps they've had a few complaints from passengers - I wouldn't be surprised in this day and age if the yougins these days expect everything to be unfiltered when even home broadband is filtered by default by law.

Alcohol?

So something like a pub website, or CAMRA, perhaps?

Seems unnecessarily prudish.