With the wide use of smartphones, we can see that many people, especially younger generations, became using various dating apps more than trying to meet new people in public. The main reason why so many people are using Tinder, Badoo, and similar apps is the convenience and simplicity over the traditional way of trying to find a partner in some pub, party, or any other place. Moreover, most people find it more relaxing, especially ones with lower self-esteem.
On the other side, there are some dangers when it comes to using dating apps, and you should be aware of various threats if you don’t know how to protect your privacy there. For example, there is a big issue with Grindr, which is an app that shares your exact location with other people, and that could represent a possible danger. However, there is a way to set-up a virtual location on this app to improve your safety. You can check more on virtuallocation.com.
When it comes to the most popular dating apps, most of them share the ability to provide you with some safety guidelines, allow you to block or report other people, but there is no way for complete fraud protection. In that matter, you should know that keeping your privacy on sites like these is very important. Here are some of the best ways to protect your privacy when using dating apps.
1. Use Block Option
One of the best ways to protect yourself from harassment on dating apps is to block some person who is constantly sending you messages and annoy you. After you block or remove a person, it won’t be able to look at your profile anymore, which will increase the safety of your privacy. Furthermore, you can report someone, and the app will remove the profile of that person if they consider it as a possible threat to other users.
2. Don’t Use Apps Where Anyone Could Send You a Message
While there is no way to completely prevent people from sending you unwanted and offensive messages, you can at least use apps where only people that you accepted or matched with can have that ability. When it comes to the most popular dating sites, they all share the same function, and that is the method of connecting with other people by liking other profiles and getting the ability to send something to them only if they liked your profile as well.
3. Pay Attention to Location Settings
Most dating sites are using your location to connect you with people in the same area. However, you should avoid location settings where someone could see your exact position. The main reason for that is the possibility for someone to represent a threat by having the ability to find you by using that kind of app. On the other side, you should also avoid online platforms that will share your profile worldwide, not just in your area.
4. Share Unique Photos
The best way to protect privacy when you are using dating apps is to share some pictures that are not on your social media accounts. That way, it will be much harder for people to find you there. Most of us are using Instagram and Facebook but are not willing to share it with people they meet on dating apps. Also, it will get easier to interrupt your privacy if someone finds you on social networks.
5. Don’t Share Too Much Personal Information
There is great danger of someone becoming a threat to your privacy if you leave too much of your details like the last name, phone number, and social media accounts. You should not do that with any social media as well, because there is a chance that someone might steal your identity or start following you in public. You should be more discreet when you are using dating sites.
6.Use Google Voice Number
If you found some interesting people on these sites and started frequently chatting, you should wait until you give your number to that person if you want to speak instead of messaging. Instead of giving your real phone number before you meet that person, you should create a Google phone number. This way, you will protect your privacy in case the other person is someone who might represent a possible danger to your safety. Furthermore, you should consider making a video call before meeting someone in public, which will increase your safety even more. There is always a chance that some profile is a fake one.
7. Chat Only in The App
Every dating app has its messaging system, and you should use it all the time until you are sure that the person you are chatting with is not someone with questionable intentions. We know that these systems for messages are not high quality like Viber, Whatsapp, or Messenger, but your privacy is less secure if you start chatting over them immediately.
The Bottom Line
Social media and dating apps are a great way to meet plenty of new people. Some of the main benefits of using online platforms are that chatting with someone is much easier, and you don’t have to worry about your approach or how well dressed you are at the moment. Moreover, people with less confidence find it a lot easier to start chatting with someone over these apps than in public. On the other side, you can have quality time with your friends in some bar or at a party while you are all enjoying together, instead of trying to meet people around you, which can be embarrassing if someone rejects you.
If you are using dating apps in the right way, there are only some minor dangers. Remember, you should not go on a date with someone until you are sure that the profile of that person is not fake. Moreover, the main methods for having a safe account is to avoid sharing too much personal details and other information like address, number, linked social accounts, and more.
