Clubhouse Rolls Out New ‘Protected Profile’ Setting Option For Users

Earlier today, Clubhouse a social audio-only app loved by many, announces the launch of a protected profile setting. According to the company, this new setting will permit users to make their full profile only available to other users they have approved as followers. The reason for the creation of this setting that will change profile engagement has been the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. This setting is considered response and an effort to keep users protected on the platform.

In a blog post, the company says “We’re grateful we’ve become a meeting place for people around the world to connect during this time, but we also know that times of conflict and upheaval make it increasingly important to be mindful of your presence online and what you share.”

Users can activate the protected profile feature in the app’s settings. Once that is done, users will now be able to approve your followers. The company says that users you haven’t approved as followers won’t have a business seeing when logged in and Clubhouse won’t recommend that people you don’t know follow you. The company explains that once the feature is activated only your followers will have the ability to see ad interact with the rooms, clubs and replays on your profile. Activation of the new setting feature will also mean that you appear less visible on the Clubhouse app. This is not the first time the social audio-only platform is including safety modes and measures for its esteemed users.

The idea for the new feature comes as Clubhouse has become a platform for anti-war Russian civilians to coordinate, but is also home to so much Russian propaganda. Since the ban of social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook by the Russian government, Russians have had to find new ways of communicating and staying in touch, Clubhouse happens to be one of the platforms serving that need.

Clubhouse has also gone ahead to share tips on how users can protect themselves on the social audio app, especially at this time of conflict. The company mentions that though the Replay feature has been turned off for users in Ukraine by default, through the help of third-party apps or devices people still find a way to record and share various content without consent. Clubhouse has now urged users to be cautious of various information shared verbally and through profiles which can be misleading. The company notes that while it’s important for users to be mindful of the type of audio content shared on its platform, it’s also important to note that a user’s voice can be a possible identifier.

The social audio-only app was officially released for the iOS operating system in March 2020 but has since released an Android version to users globally. A short time after the release Clubhouse has become a big deal to users globally amidst competitions that have joined the audio space