'Share My Date' Tinder’s New Safety Feature
Tinder will be implementing new features in the upcoming months enabling online users to inform their families and friends on their whereabouts during their dates.
Dubbed as ‘Share My Date’ the safety features allow users to share their location, timestamp, and a picture of their match.
Safety Concerns
As authorities highlight a rise in the number of sexual assault cases linked to online dating, Tinder suggests including sharing date details with friends and family as an additional step in their safety precautions. Tinder is the most popular dating application in the UK and nearly 2.5 million adults accounts signed on to the app. Given the UK as a prime example, more than one in 10 adults use dating apps, according to Ofcom.
While online dating has gained immense popularity, safety however, remains a major concern, encompassing issues like scams, stalking, and sexual assault.
Almost a quarter of users engaging in online dating encounter digital stalking, as indicated by findings from the cybersecurity company Kaspersky. Ten percent acknowledge being subject to location tracking, while an additional ten percent report unauthorized access to their social media or email accounts.
Other Dating Apps
Among the main dating apps sought by adults besides Tinder are Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, and Grindr. The commonality among these platforms is their role in facilitating matches for adults, and the unfortunate reality that predators can also use them to find victims.
While this may sound harsh, it’s a truth we cannot ignore.
The new safety features introduced by Tinder provide users with the security they seek, aiming to foster connections rather than victimization. Unlike Tinder, the dating apps have yet to implement similar measures, keeping Tinder at the fore front of the industry. Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, and Grindr share features such as photo verification, reporting and blocking functionalities, and safety tips.
Is It Too Late?
The issue with Tinder and other dating apps persisted since their inception. The introduction of safety features is a welcomed development, albeit overdue. Tinder has consistently garnered attention, especially in comparison to other dating platforms such as Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, and Grindr and the addition of new features will likely sustain its popularity.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Tech sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.