Are dating apps safe for Users’ privacy?
You see advertisements saying ‘find your partner now, and you get lured in to join an app. You come across an ad on YouTube to make friends with beautiful people in your area, you can’t resist but download the dating app. You find a banner saying ‘chose from thousands of people for marriage’. You become curious and start making an online account.
Welcome to the world of dating apps.
Playing on the ability to conjure our minds to find the best dating partner, these apps lure people in with attractive slogans and advertisements. But are they so good? If they had, why would they require such aggressive marketing?
Information leaking
No matter how good a dating app is, there can be an information breach. Hackers might use and then misuse your information for various purposes. In fact, the open platforms can allow anyone to use your personal pictures, videos or data across various other platforms. This can lead to doxing and cyberstalking. The former is a process in which a person can use your information and leak it in public with the intention of harming your fame or shaming you.
Most dating websites are now utilizing your social media account for creating your profile. As convenient as it seems to be, the process is highly risky. It totally exposes all the data of your social media account to the dating profile including videos, photos, tags, friends, etc.
Users are also invited to share their locations and workplaces. This poses another risk of being stalked by social evils.
A cautious mindset is a key
Since the dating apps are working globally, we can’t force them to change their policies. In fact, the main motto of these apps is to connect users from all across the world. The ideal approach here is to have a cautious mindset and learn how and when to share your data. There are many ways through which scammers can hunt you. Hence, you need to be aware and stay away from any suspicious activity on the account.
Start by avoiding providing all personal data on the app. You can add any other address to keep things on a positive spectrum. Then, do not share personal data too soon with strangers. Check the person and give time to your bonding. Thirdly, avoid posting any personal pictures as these can be misused very easily.
Tips for staying safe on dating apps
Don’t use your regular photos
When you create an account on a dating profile, you should not use the photo that you have used on your social handles. This is because people can use reverse image search and you will be found easily. If you have the same photo on a dating app that you are using on social media, anyone can find you through Instagram or Facebook.
Mind suspicious profiles
Hackers and Scammers do not have regular profile data. Their profiles can be identified with some valid points. These include:
- Miscellaneous or insensible biodata
- No picture or anonymous display pictures
- Lack of genuine posts on the profile
- Absence of connected social account
- Too much bragging or a profile falsely depicting someone to be a celebrity or a millionaire
- Photoshopped images used
- Images of someone used in the profile you already know
If you find any of these, you should always proceed with caution. Do ensure that you check out the profile before connecting with a stranger on a dating app.
Mind financial requests
Dating apps might not just impend you into false information sharing, but can also invite financial hackers. These scammers ask away sensitive financial information and then hack your account and even empty your bank balance. This is a new method of looting money and many people in India are falling into this app. There have been instances in which scammers are using a fake account and then showing gratitude to the person by sending a gift from abroad. And when the gift arrives in your country, you are asked to pay a huge amount for clearance from customs.
When meeting through dating apps
Meetings can be the ultimate reward of a good bond fostered on the dating app. Follows these tips to ensure that you are not falling into a trap-
- Talk on plenty of video calls before setting a meet-up. This will help you judge the person and know if he or she is really what or is just pretending.
- Always tell someone your whereabouts when meeting. Informing a good friend can do the job. Make sure that you give every detail of the meet-up to your friend including time, date, venue, etc.
- Never meet a person for the first time in a secluded place. Always ask for a meeting in a crowded place. You can choose from restaurants, cafeterias, malls, shopping complexes or simple marking areas. Avoid meeting during late nights.
- Always have a backup plan in terms of transportation. You should not rely on the person to drop you. Always have your convenience and try to travel alone to your home.
Are all dating apps bad?
While we are not taking an ‘all-inclusive’ approach here, dating apps may be risky. Yes, some apps are genuine, actually providing a good platform for people to meet and know each other. Some apps offer good matrimony purposes. The legitimate apps don’t require any promotions whatsoever. But things become messy when we tend to download apps we haven’t heard about. They may come as an eye-catching means of plenty of dating features.
The name might be new, but the features may be identical and totally mind-blowing. For instance, an app may offer a free account and the ability to date many people at a time. Another app will bombard you with bots messages, making you think that you are the king of the town. Such apps should be avoided.
In a nutshell
Dating apps seem to be the best gift from online technology. But since this has a dark side too, it is important to never take chances. Following the above tips will help you stay safe, ensuring that your dating experience is mesmerizing. In the end, always remember that dating apps are not the staple of your life. You can always find the person of your dreams without going online.
Author: abhishek tuteja
Content writer with sky in eyes and nature in heart, living life learning each lesson per day.
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