Grateful to @christammiller for tweeting this story to my attention. Full article here

As Foursquare goes mainstream, some subversive segments of the tech community are using the social-networking software to turn its fundamental conceit — that it helps you hang out with your friends — upside down. San Francisco–based technologist Jesper Andersen last month designed a site called Avoidr, which allows Foursquare users to select the “friends” they want to avoid. By showing where those “friends” have checked in, users know where not to go.

According to Andersen, the site has been used by around 20,000 people, with around 2,500 active users.

The idea came about when Andersen watched a lot of his friends go through breakups: “It was an emotionally resonant feeling — you don’t actually want to go to this bar because your ex is there.”

He says Avoidr has also been used by people with stalkers — they allow their stalkers to “friend” them, never check in themselves, and use Avoidr solely to steer clear.

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