For a service where the early adopters are predominantly male (perhaps an invalid assumption, but a lazy tech stereotype), you have the default picture be the outline of a female to incentivise the male to "correct" the default by uploading their own picture (demonstrating they're a male, rather than female).
Interesting thought process if my interpretation is correct.
The OP was referring to an "evil growth marketing tactic" - it wouldn't be as evil if it were mainly for empathy with the user base rather than as a dark pattern.
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Not heard of it before, but my interpretation is:
For a service where the early adopters are predominantly male (perhaps an invalid assumption, but a lazy tech stereotype), you have the default picture be the outline of a female to incentivise the male to "correct" the default by uploading their own picture (demonstrating they're a male, rather than female).
Interesting thought process if my interpretation is correct.
And/or that the service seems to have more female participants?
The OP was referring to an "evil growth marketing tactic" - it wouldn't be as evil if it were mainly for empathy with the user base rather than as a dark pattern.
Wow, I expected something else. That is actually interesting!