Wizz: A Tinder-style app for teens could pose sextortion danger, says tip line

A Tinder-style app used by teenagers is causing major concerns after numerous reports of potential sextortion have been made to Canada's national tip line.

A Tinder-style app used by teenagers is causing major concerns after numerous reports of potential sexual extortion have been made to Canada's national tip line.

Cybertip.ca, where Canadians can report cases of sexual exploitation of children online, is warning parents about Wizz, an app that has millions of users worldwide.

The app touts itself as "where fun comes from the unexpected. Wizz is the ultimate online platform for random chats with people from all over the world."

It is similar to Tinder, where users are asked to swipe through profiles, pairing random strangers in video chats.

"We started tracking in 2021. We've had over 180 reports specifically naming the app Wizz, tied to financial sextortion and other luring-type incidents," said Catherine Tabak, a senior Cybertip.ca manager. "In comparison to 2022, we've had 10 times as many reports pertaining to the app in 2023."

Of these reports, 91 per cent concerned sextortion, with boys victimized in 93 per cent of cases.

The majority of victims reported were between 15 to 17 years old.