Model, actor and content creator Derek Chadwick has responded to accusations in a Wired article about his new dating app, Goose.
As we’ve previously reported, Goose launched last month and aims to foster connections between gay men that go beyond hook-ups and exchanging d-ck pics. It bills itself as the “anti-algorithm gay dating and lifestyle platform.”
New users must apply to become members and are accepted only after their applications are reviewed. Some guys applied after receiving invitation codes over social media.
How about we take this to the next level?
Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today
It’s one of several new apps attempting to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Grindr and its frequent advert pop-ups.
However, an article published by Wired last week alleged that several Instagram accounts that promoted Goose invite codes via their ‘close friends’ stories appeared to feature AI-generated images of hunky guys.
In other words, they weren’t accounts from real people. The messages were all similar, informing followers, “You’re receiving this because you’re exactly the type of person we’re building this for,” accompanied by a code for an invite to a “members only community” (i.e., Goose).
“Ambassadors”
Wired carried links to several of the profiles. It says they were all created in May or June. They appear to have since disappeared from Instagram.
Sometimes the accounts sent direct messages to Instagram users to inform them about Goose.
Besides Chadwick, Goose was co-created by BeReal growth and community manager David Aliagas.
Aliagas has said part of the reason he founded Goose was to build “a future where young gay men don’t have to endure the reality of posting half-naked photos just to find community, only to be met by men old enough to be their fathers.”
At the time Wired ran its story, Aliagas still had an Instagram Story highlight seeking new “ambassadors” for Goose. They would be tasked with helping to manage three Instagram accounts.
Wired explored the legality of using fake influencers to dupe people into signing up for a service. Apparently, this is now a more common practice than many consumers realize.
Chadwick nor anyone else at Goose responded to Wired’s request for comment.
“Disrupting the gay app space”
Queerty reached out to a spokesperson for Goose to ask if Chadwick had any comment following the publication of Wired’s article.
Chadwick shared the following statement in response.
“Goose is disrupting the gay app space by creating a place where real people can make real friends, dates, and community – our team hand-picked every person who received an invite to our app and we are proud of the community we are building. We work 24/7 to keep our app safe and free of the fake profiles that have soured other platforms. Clearly our competitors are taking notice.”
Erm, that doesn’t actually address the allegations within the Wired article. There was no suggestion of AI fakery on Goose itself, just in the potential use of AI-generated influencers promoting Goose on Instagram. Queerty has gone back to Chadwick to see if he has anything more to add on this and will update our story if we hear back.
The Goose spokesperson also shared a link to the app’s generative imagery policy guidelines.
This includes guidance such as, “Show up as yourself, at all times … Only share content and private information that is yours, with precaution” and “Honesty is key: Never share false or misleading information.”
Related
Derek Chadwick hopes his wholesome “non-hookup focused” gay dating app can do away with D pics
Ambitious!
Sign up for the Queerty newsletter to stay on top of the hottest stories in LGBTQ+ entertainment, politics, and culture.
