Turkish social media gurus and policy geeks are all asking each other: Do you Clubhouse?

Although the IOS application has been around since March 2020, it was exclusively used by celebrities, entertainers and Silicon Valley insiders until recently. In May 2020 it had 1,500 users. By the end of February 2021, it had surpassed 10 million downloads. 

Despite security breaches, its popularity is booming. Clubhouse is an invite-only chat program that is so far only available to iPhone users. However, in the last week, several Android users on Clubhouse Turkey (CHT) told Al-Monitor they have found a “backdoor” to download and use the application. 

Unlike on other platforms, Clubhouse users cannot share information except for a bio and photo. Some of the bios on Clubhouse resemble formal resumes. The application provides an open buffet of chat rooms on endless topics such as meditation, wealth management, foreign language practice, marketing and relationships, all themes that center around connecting and networking. While the world is socially distancing, Clubhouse provides an opportunity to engage.