Technology Tools: Apps, Websites, and Digital Safety

Posted by Maria Rodriguez | September 8, 2025

"My phone is basically a survival toolkit," Maya told me last week, scrolling through what looked like dozens of apps on her iPhone. "Every single one of these serves a specific safety or business purpose. Without technology, I literally couldn't do this work safely."

Maya has been working as an Asian escort in Brooklyn for three years, and her phone setup is like nothing I've ever seen. As she walked me through her digital toolkit during our interview at a Queens café, I realized I was getting a glimpse into how technology has become absolutely essential for sex worker safety and business operations.

After two years of reporting on this industry, I've learned that the relationship between escort work and technology is incredibly complex. The same digital tools that provide unprecedented safety and business opportunities also create new vulnerabilities and risks. Today, I want to break down the actual apps, websites, and digital strategies that sex workers use every day.

The Safety Stack

Let's start with the most critical category: safety apps. Almost every escort I've interviewed has developed their own combination of tools for staying safe, but certain apps appear in almost everyone's setup.

Location Sharing Apps The most commonly mentioned tool is Apple's Find My (for iPhone users) or Google's Find My Device. "I share my live location with two trusted friends whenever I'm working," explained Jessica, whom I've quoted in several previous posts. "They can see exactly where I am in real time, and if I don't check in when expected, they know something's wrong."

But the built-in apps aren't enough for many sex workers. Several people mentioned using additional location apps like Life360 or Glympse that offer more granular control over who sees what information and when.

Emergency Alert Systems Maya showed me her favorite safety app, bSafe, which can silently alert emergency contacts if she's in danger. "I can trigger a fake phone call to give myself an excuse to leave a situation, or I can send a silent SOS with my location to my safety contacts," she demonstrated.

Another popular option is the Noonlight app, which requires users to hold down a button during potentially dangerous situations. If they release it without entering a PIN, the app automatically contacts emergency services with the user's location.

Communication Security For client communications, most escorts have moved away from regular texting to encrypted messaging apps. Signal is by far the most popular choice, followed by Telegram and WhatsApp.

"Regular text messages can be subpoenaed or intercepted," explained David, the former teacher I've interviewed before. "Encrypted messaging protects both me and my clients' privacy. Plus, Signal has a disappearing messages feature that automatically deletes conversations."

Website and Advertising Platforms

The 2018 FOSTA-SESTA legislation fundamentally changed how escorts advertise online, forcing most to abandon mainstream platforms like Craigslist and Backpage. The current landscape is fragmented across dozens of smaller sites.

Personal Websites Most established escorts now maintain their own websites, which gives them complete control over their online presence. Elena, who works the luxury market I wrote about earlier, showed me her professional website during one of our meetings.

"I use WordPress with security plugins, professional photography, and a contact form that filters inquiries," she explained. "It costs about $200 per month to maintain, but it's worth it for the professional image and client screening capabilities."

Many sex workers use website builders like Squarespace or Wix, which offer better security and easier maintenance than building sites from scratch. However, these platforms often have terms of service that prohibit adult content, creating ongoing risks of account termination.

Classified Ad Sites Despite FOSTA-SESTA, numerous smaller classified sites still serve the escort advertising market. Sites like Skip the Games, Escort Alligator, and Adult Search are frequently mentioned, though sex workers report that the quality and safety features vary dramatically.

"You have to diversify across multiple platforms now," said Marcus. "What was once one or two reliable sites is now eight or ten smaller ones, each with different rules, different audiences, and different safety features."

Social Media Marketing Twitter has become unexpectedly important for escort marketing, partly because its terms of service are more permissive than other major platforms. Many sex workers maintain professional Twitter accounts for client communication and marketing.

Instagram is trickier due to stricter content policies, but some escorts maintain carefully curated accounts that suggest their services without explicit advertising. TikTok is largely off-limits due to aggressive content moderation.

Client Screening Technology

Perhaps the most sophisticated technology use I've observed involves client screening. Sex workers have developed elaborate systems for verifying client identities and safety records before meeting.

Reverse Lookup Tools Apps like TrueCaller, Spokeo, and BeenVerified allow escorts to research phone numbers, email addresses, and names to verify client information. "If someone gives me a phone number, I can usually find their real name, employer, and social media profiles within ten minutes," Maya demonstrated.

Professional Network Searches LinkedIn has become an essential screening tool. "I require potential clients to provide their LinkedIn profiles," said Victoria, the luxury escort I interviewed last month. "If they won't share professional information, that's a red flag."

Background Check Services Some escorts pay for access to background check databases typically used by employers. While expensive, these services can reveal criminal histories, bankruptcy filings, and other red flags.

Blacklist Databases Perhaps most importantly, sex workers maintain informal networks for sharing information about dangerous or problematic clients. While these systems operate through private social media groups and encrypted messaging, they serve as crucial safety resources.

Payment Processing

Digital payment systems have revolutionized how escort transactions work, though they've also created new challenges due to platform policies against adult services.

Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle Most outcall Asian escorts accept payments through popular apps, though they have to be careful about transaction descriptions. "I never put anything explicit in payment memos," explained Rachel, the MBA student I've written about before. "Usually just initials or innocuous phrases."

Cryptocurrency Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are increasingly popular for their privacy benefits. "Crypto transactions can't be reversed or traced as easily as traditional payments," noted one escort who requested anonymity. However, the technical complexity limits adoption among less tech-savvy providers.

Gift Cards and Alternative Payments Some escorts accept Amazon gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or other alternative payment methods to avoid issues with mainstream payment processors.

Business Management Apps

Running an escort business requires significant administrative work, and many providers use standard business apps adapted for their specific needs.

Scheduling and Calendar Management Google Calendar and Apple Calendar are universally used for appointment scheduling, often with coded language to protect privacy. More sophisticated providers use scheduling apps like Calendly or Acuity that allow clients to book appointments directly.

Customer Relationship Management Several escorts showed me elaborate spreadsheet systems for tracking client information, preferences, and appointment histories. Some use business CRM software like HubSpot or Salesforce, though they have to be careful about terms of service violations.

Financial Tracking Apps like QuickBooks, Mint, and various expense tracking apps help with business accounting, though many escorts avoid linking bank accounts due to privacy concerns.

The Dark Side of Digital

While technology has undoubtedly improved safety for many sex workers, it's also created new vulnerabilities and risks.

Digital Stalking "I've had clients try to track me down through social media, reverse image searches on my photos, and even by cross-referencing my phone number with data broker sites," Maya told me. "Technology that helps me screen clients can also be used against me."

Platform Censorship The constant threat of account termination forces sex workers to self-censor and maintain backup plans across multiple platforms. "I've lost Instagram accounts, had websites taken down, and been banned from payment apps," said Elena. "You always have to have backup plans."

Privacy Breaches Several escorts mentioned concerns about data breaches exposing client information or their own personal details. "If any of these apps or websites get hacked, it could ruin both my business and my clients' reputations," noted Victoria.

Technology Barriers Not everyone has equal access to these digital tools. "All of this requires smartphones, reliable internet, and technical knowledge," observed David. "Sex workers without those resources are pushed toward more dangerous working conditions."

Post-FOSTA-SESTA Adaptations

The 2018 legislation forced rapid innovation and adaptation in sex worker technology use. While it eliminated many safer platforms, it also accelerated the development of more sophisticated safety and business tools.

"We became incredibly resourceful incredibly quickly," reflected Samantha, who's been working since before FOSTA-SESTA. "Losing Backpage forced everyone to diversify their digital strategies, which ultimately made many of us more tech-savvy and safer."

However, the increased complexity has also created new barriers to entry and safety disparities within the industry.

Looking Forward

The technology landscape for sex work continues evolving rapidly. Several escorts mentioned interest in emerging tools like:

• Blockchain-based reputation systems that could provide decentralized client screening

• Advanced encryption tools for more secure client communication

• AI-powered safety monitoring that could detect dangerous situations automatically

• Virtual reality platforms that might allow safer forms of digital companionship

But with each new technological advancement comes new risks and challenges. The fundamental tension between sex workers' need for digital tools and society's efforts to restrict their access to mainstream platforms continues to shape this landscape.

Tomorrow: "The Emotional Labor: More Than Just Physical Companionship"

Tech Safety Note: This post describes tools and strategies used for educational purposes. Technology changes rapidly, and readers should research current options and risks. Many apps mentioned have terms of service that may prohibit adult content.