(KRON) — There’s a social networking app that is starting to create buzz online — perhaps not for the best reasons. Clockout describes itself as “an exclusive localized network for the next generation of professionals.”
In other words, the app is intended for those who fulfill Clockout’s steep member requirements. The app intends to have these individuals congregate at a variety of Clockout-hosted events like galas, dinners and mixers. Clockout markets itself as a way to “meet the smartest people in your city.”
A local community Facebook page, “BAY AREA MEMES,” which has more than 103,000 followers, recently posted about Clockout. The post states that Clockout’s membership requirements include having to make at least an $80,000 annual salary. (KRON4 has not confirmed with Clockout directly about this requirement. Efforts to reach app representatives were not successful.)
The comment section was divided on the issue — some complaining about the app’s strict requirements and others saying that salary doesn’t go very far in the Bay Area.
For many Americans, bringing in $80,000 a year seems like a pretty good salary — but not in the Bay Area or even California. The median U.S. salary is approximately $62,000. Although that is well above the national median, an $80K salary in San Francisco is considered “low income limits,” according to the city. The median individual income in San Francisco is $109,100, city documents show.
“That’s still low income in the Bay Area (laugh emoji), a Richmond resident commented, referring to the alleged $80K salary requirement.
“Thats not really an exclusive club in California. It’s above poverty level for the country but still at risk of scarcity,” an Alameda native wrote.
In addition to the alleged $80K salary requirement, Clockout appears to be only accepting members within certain industries. According to multiple content creators who posted Clockout rejection letters, the app is only “accepting applicants in tech, commerce, finance, and law.”
Apologies to the In-N-Out manager who makes more than $150,000 a year. Content creators apparently are not allowed either.
“You and I both know they wouldn’t let us Garbage and truck drivers in,” a Richmond resident wrote in the comments section of the BAY AREA MEMES Facebook post.
Clockout’s description on the Apple App Store reads as follows:
Escape the grind and skip the corporate happy hours. We’re an exclusive localized network made for the next generation of professionals. Meet ambitious people in your area at thousands of curated private social clubs, mixers, galas, and more. Find your dream cofounder at a brunch club, unlock access to the hottest rooftop mixers, and see what everyone in your industry is talking about. All member applications are approved by our concierge team.
The app has started conversations across other metros in the U.S.
One Atlanta radio talk show dedicated a segment to the Clockout app — mostly criticizing it. Its social media caption describes the app for “most arrogant, conceited, self-important, and exclusionary douchebags looking to connect with one another.”
Clockout also stirred controversies in cities like Phoenix and Tampa.
NewsNation’s Taylor Delandro contribured to this report.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
