It’s no secret that dating apps bring people together. In fact, a 2022 survey found that 10% of partnered adults met on a dating app. With a stat like that, it’s no wonder that plenty of singles have turned to online dating as a way to find potential dates—and, ultimately, their forever person.
But despite its popularity, is online dating safe?
Learn more about the potential risks of online dating, the best features to look out for in dating apps, and how to date safely in the digital sphere.
Here are some of the common risks associated with online dating.
Romance scams, also called catfishing (read more about the signs of catfishing), are the most common type of online dating scams. They involve someone pretending to be romantically interested in a person with the purpose of exploiting them financially or personally, typically by phishing for sensitive information or asking for money.
People who report romance scams will typically have been conversing with a scammer online only and been pressured to send money, share sensitive information, or share sensitive photos. Not all romance scams will involve developing a relationship, but many do, where the scammer aims to earn trust and gain sympathy over time.
With more and more online platforms come more and more privacy concerns. In fact, Mozilla Foundation reviewed 25 popular dating apps and determined that 22 of them don’t pass its privacy test. It found that many privacy policies are not transparent (or plain ol’ misleading) and many dating apps can collect tons of information from profiles, photos, in-app messaging, and more and then sell that information to third parties.
Long story short? Read privacy policies, limit permissions of dating apps, avoid linking third-party apps (like social media profiles), and don’t include information or photos that you wouldn’t want in the public sphere.
Meeting strangers online or in person isn’t inherently dangerous, but it does bring with it the need for staying on your guard and watching out for potential red flags. This can be especially hard to do in an online space, where conversations often take place in written format before ever hearing someone’s voice or seeing them face to face.
We’re backing up all of our info with these statistics. Remember: This data isn’t included for scare tactics, rather to increase awareness of potential risks.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, online romance scams are growing, with approximately 73,000 romance scams reported in 2022 (up from 33,000 in 2020). Fifty-two percent of all dating app/site users believe that they have encountered a scammer, with men under 50 having experienced this more than men over 50 and women of all ages.
The financial impact of these scams can be large, with the median amount of losses per victim clocking in at $2,000.
One of the most high-profile privacy lawsuits involves Grindr, which is being sued for allegedly illegally sharing sensitive user information (without their consent) with third parties.
It seems that there haven’t been many large-scale data leaks from dating apps or websites, but the risk is real. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 2023 saw an all-time high for data compromises in the United States, affecting more than 3.5 million individuals.
Pew Research Center conducted a survey in 2022 garnering feedback from American adults on their experiences with dating apps and online dating in general. Here are some high-level results from those surveyed:
But it’s also important to note that Statista data from a 2022 survey shows that the majority of adults ages 18-49 feel that it’s safe to meet people online (those in older age groups are more likely to feel unsafe).
Robust profile verification measures, in-app safety tools, and privacy controls are part of the Big Three in safety features for dating apps and websites.
With profile verification during profile setup, online dating apps and sites can ensure that users are who they say they are and strive to reduce the number of fake profiles.
Profile verification can be done in a number of ways:
There’s not much data yet on the effectiveness of profile verification, but apps and users can remain optimistic about the potential reduction in fake profiles and scammers. As more and more apps add and enhance this safety measure, more and more scammers will hopefully be deterred.
There are a couple of crucial safety tools that the top dating apps use to protect users.
Many apps, like Bumble, Grindr, Plenty of Fish, and more, have block and report features. While the specific process differs slightly per app, it usually involves a user blocking a conversation or profile from contacting them, or reporting the profile. If a profile is reported, then a human moderator will get involved, reviewing the profile and determining if they will or will not be banned from the app or site.
Tinder has added an emergency assistance feature (available by connecting the Noonlight app with Tinder), where users can share details about an upcoming in-person date, and if they trigger an in-app alarm during the date, first responders will be dispatched.
This is just one example of safety features that can protect users beyond their in-app interactions.
Finally, privacy controls are a necessary part of any safe, enjoyable dating app experience.
While many dating apps might not have the best privacy policies, some online dating platforms at least give users more control over which data they choose to share. For example, some may allow users to turn off their geolocation, check “prefer not to specify” on certain profile setup questions, or even delete all of their personal information when they’ve left the app.
While toggling off certain data sharing might not give users access to some features or allow them to fully experience an app, doing so can go a long way in protecting their information.
The ability to control who sees your online dating profile is a big plus when it comes to safety features. Some apps and sites allow users to go “incognito,” meaning that they can choose to hide their profile from anyone they haven’t liked or messaged.
Another nice feature is the ability to hide certain pieces of information from a user’s profile until they have matched with someone. For example, they could hide their location, age, contact info, or other identifying details.
In the era of online dating, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind. For a full list of helpful reminders, check out our 12 essential dating tips.
Always keep your personal information private until you’ve developed trust with the person you’re connecting with. Utilize your app’s privacy controls to hide certain information until you feel comfortable sharing it.
The first step in avoiding a romance scam is understanding what to look out for, like unwanted messages, incomplete profiles, inconsistent stories or those that seem too good to be true, and even love bombing. All of these can be big red flags when it comes to identifying whether someone is who they say they are.
Remember: If you’re feeling uncomfortable, it’s probably a sign that something’s not right.
To enhance your personal safety, it’s a good idea to stick with in-app messaging before moving to text, as messaging in the app usually protects your contact information. Plus, many dating apps have built-in safety measures for their messaging functions.
Before planning an in-person date, suggest setting up a video chat before meeting them in person. This way, you can make sure that they match their profile. Then, for the date itself, tell a trusted family member or friend where you’re going and who you are meeting, perhaps even sharing your live location with them. And always plan a first date in a public place.
For a refreshing, safe, and secure journey to finding a partner, turn to Tawkify. We have extremely high standards when it comes to client and member safety: We screen all candidates via video chat. Oh, and we never share our clients’ personal information without their permission.
At Tawkify, it’s possible to embark on a romantic journey while staying safe—and all with a dedicated matchmaker by your side. Start finding your person today.
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