You may like using a dating app but you most certainly realize they too come with their own set of challenges. The “problem” is that they collect a lot of information about their users and it is this information that you don’t want to fall into wrong hands. Those wrong hands, in case you wonder, could be some other person on the network who is also (seamingly?) looking for a soulmate online.
Here are 7 DONTs that will help you stay secure and protect your privacy while using dating apps:
1. Do NOT sign up with your social media account
Although signing-up with Facebook is easier, it will tell the social media giant more about you — and it already knows a lot about every one of us. What’s more, a dating app could also require some special permissions to offer “better matching” and in turn get more data out of Facebook than it really needs. Instead, open up an account using only your email address and set a strong password. No need to use Facebook login for everything.
2. Do NOT link your social media accounts
Related to the previous point, this is another way a dating app and social media companies could use to create a more compelling profile of their users. While this could serve a purpose — like when Tinder lets you connect your Instagram account — it will reveal a lot of information about your life. There is no point in telling the people you don’t know about your daily routine and places you go to, let alone showing them the faces of people you care about.
3. Do NOT use photos that reveal your identity
Although you may want to give away your real photos, we don’t advise anyone to do that. And this is especially important for your profile photo, which could be publicly accessible — allowing data miners to seamlessly get it and include it in their databases. From that point on, they may be able to better target you with ads and perhaps even misuse all the data they have on you. Ransomware is common these days and it could easily start with a photo on a dating app.
4. Do NOT use your real name
Instead, use a nickname or fake name. Yes, you do want the person you like to know a bit more about you – but you don’t have to give it all away right from the bet. You’ll want to first build a relationship — as much as it’s possible online — and only later reveal a few personal details. Staying safe should be your priority and there is no need to hurry.
5. Do NOT let the app access your location at all times
Many apps would like to access your device’s location at all times. While it makes sense to let fitness apps do that — so they can track your steps — there is no need to have the same setting turned on for a dating app. You can share your city to see profiles of people living nearby but you don’t necessarily need to know who’s living in a block nearby. It’s spooky when you think about it.
6. Do NOT share too much in your profile
In addition to your name and age, many dating apps ask for other personal details, like your workplace, education background, and religious views. Those don’t come with a court order and there is no reason why you would share all that data and make it publicly available for everyone to see. Go easy on sharing personal stuff and instead try coming up with a text that would make the other person curious.
7. Do NOT move the conversation from the app
Say you found your match and started exchanging messages. It’s still not safe for you to move outside of the dating app and instead try keeping the conversation within the app for as long as possible. This is the safest environment and you can always move later to some other messaging app. At that point, we suggest going for a messaging service that doesn’t reveal your phone number, which would be the likes of Telegram and Skype.
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We could also add that you should delete your profile once you’re done with some dating app as there is no reason to leave any data on the table. It is a good housekeeping habit which we employ for all kinds of apps.
Do you think we’ve missed some important tip? Do let us know in the comments form below.