Facebook Dating is a relatively new, relatively popular dating app within the Facebook platform. If you’re here, maybe you’re thinking about using it–and you’re surely wondering whether it’s safe to use. In this article, we’ll explore the safety risks involved with using Facebook Dating, as well as ways to keep yourself safe while using the app.
Meta is Facebook’s parent company, and, as such, it has access to all your Facebook Dating data – everything from your interests, matches, and even your individual interactions. Ostensibly done to improve your user experience, this data can also be sold to advertisers. That said, Meta does claim that Facebook Dating activity will not be used for targeted ads on the main app.
Your Facebook Dating profile isn’t automatically visible to your Facebook friends; instead, it’s only visible to other people using the Dating Dating feature. You get to decide, though, whether you want friends of your friends to see you on the dating app.
It’s an unfortunate reality that users of dating apps are vulnerable to unscrupulous scammers, and users of Facebook Dating are no exception. One common scam is catfishing, which is when someone pretends to be someone they are not and forms a relationship on that basis. (The Manti Te’o scandal is a great example of this.) Another common scam is romance fraud, which is when someone feigns romantic interest while trying to gain access to others users’ money or personal information.
There are always risks inherent in meeting up in-person with strangers you met online. For a first date, you should choose a public place to meet, and always be sure to tell someone you trust where you’re going to be and who you’re meeting with. You may even want to consider turning on location-sharing on your phone and letting a friend track your whereabouts.
We don’t have specific stats on Facebook Dating scams. That said, there are thousands of new victims of online dating scams each year. It’s important to use your best judgment and exercise caution while using Facebook Dating or any other online dating service.
Meta has had some very high profile, much publicized data privacy scandals. Today Meta claims that Facebook Dating is protected from such breaches, but you should remain cautious. No platform can guarantee absolute protection from security flaws. Stay mindful of best practices when it comes to sharing personal information online.
Surveys of Facebook Dating users are a mixed bag, with some reporting having had success on the app while still others raise concerns about the app’s safety.
Profile verification is basically the app’s way of establishing that you are who you say you are. You can get your profile verified by uploading a photo of your ID or by recording a video selfie.
Facebook Dating has a highly effective profile verification process, which should give you confidence that verified profiles are, indeed, correctly verified. That said, scammers do occasionally find ways to bypass the system. Even when you’re communicating with a verified user, you should be cautious about how much information you share until genuine trust is built over time.
In-App Safety Tools
Facebook Dating has block and report functions that serve as important safety tools for users. If you’re engaging with someone acting inappropriately toward you – or who you fear might be a scammer – you can block them, which will prevent them from contacting you further. Reporting the user will alert the Facebook team to take a look at the issue, thereby ensuring the safety of others.
When you use Facebook Dating, you can manage how much of your personal information is shared on your profile. You can limit the amount of data you share, such as photos or your location.
You can control your profile visibility by going to your privacy settings and selecting between having your profile be “Public” or only visible to “Friends of Friends.”
Here are some steps you can personally take to stay safe on Facebook Dating.
When it comes to protecting personal information, you actually have more power than you might think. You should avoid sharing personal information too soon into any interaction, no matter how much you like your match. Don’t give out your address, phone number, full name, or workplace. This information is for people you actually trust, not people you just met online. Keep your messaging in the app until you trust the person.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s probably off. For example: If a match immediately messages you about an opportunity to make money, it’s probably a scam. You should likewise be wary if users immediately try to get you to communicate outside the app.
Take a look at Facebook’s Privacy Settings and learn how to adjust them to your liking. Your Privacy Settings will determine who can see your profile and how much information you share.
When communicating on Facebook Dating, be respectful and avoid sharing too much personal information. You should also steer clear of sharing explicit content. If someone you’re chatting with is pushing your boundaries and making you uneasy, you should report them, block them, and move on to more fulfilling encounters.
As mentioned above, for first dates you should always choose a public place, and you should let some trusted friends or relatives know where you are going to be. Trust your instincts. If a situation feels off, don’t hesitate to leave – and then report the person.
Facebook Dating is generally safe, though some legitimate concerns exist. By understanding how to protect your information on Facebook Dating, you can be sure to have a richer and satisfying experience with the app. Follow the steps above and stay vigilant.
Tawkify’s top priority is protecting the privacy and safety of our clients. We conduct criminal record screenings and thoroughly screen all candidates by conducting personal interviews over video chat.
User’s dating profiles are not publicly accessible, and we do not share any of our user’s identity or contact information without permission. With private profiles and a commitment to confidentiality, Tawkify ensures you can focus on connecting with screened potential partners without compromising your safety.
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