A first mobile computing device of a first user receives a request to participate in a location-based virtual social network. A radio component of the first mobile computing device detects venues within proximity of the first mobile computing device. Each venue includes a host of a respective virtual social network. One of the venues is selected by the user for participation in the virtual social network. A wireless connection with the virtual social network is established at the selected venue. Electronic communications with second users are conducted at the selected venue. The second users are also participants of the virtual social network. A departure of the first user from the selected venue is detected. In response to the detected departure, electronic records pertaining to the conducted electronic communications with the one or more second users are erased from the first mobile computing device.