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In light of potential risks that may arise when using dating apps, what proactive measures can users adopt to foster a secure online dating experience? originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
Answer by Catherine Porter, Chief Business Officer at Prove, on Quora:
Dating apps and websites have revolutionized how people meet each other, making it easier and more convenient to find potential partners and friends. As these apps have grown in popularity, so have the number of scammers and fraudsters, putting consumer safety and trust at risk.
Scams are on the rise, and that’s forced a major shift in the dating app world. Now, companies are scrambling to adopt identity verification tech to protect users. With continual breaking headlines about romance scams and serial catfishers, people are becoming more cautious online, calling for better security and authenticity guardrails.
To ensure a safe online dating experience, users can take several proactive steps to protect themselves from fraud, scams, and security risks:
- Verify identities: Many dating apps now offer identity verification features, which help ensure that the person you’re interacting with is who they claim to be. Look for apps that employ multi-layered verification, such as photo validation, video verification, and AI-driven tools to detect fake profiles or bots. This reduces the chances of encountering someone with malicious intentions, such as scammers or catfishers.
- Be cautious if someone’s profile seems too perfect: Be aware if they avoid sharing personal details or engaging in video calls, as scammers often create profiles with stolen images and fake details. If someone pressures you to move conversations to private messaging apps or asks for money early on, it’s a major red flag.
- Keep your personal information private: Details like your home address, workplace, and financial details. Scammers may try to exploit this information. Use the app’s messaging system rather than giving out your phone number or email until you’re confident that the person is genuine.
- Stay alert to the presence of bots: Bots are becoming more sophisticated, with advanced AI that can mimic human behavior and engage in conversations. Dating apps are working to detect and remove bots using AI and algorithms, but users should stay vigilant. If you notice strange, repetitive responses or feel like the conversation is too scripted, it could be a bot.
- Report suspicious activity: If you encounter any suspicious profiles or behavior, report them immediately through the app’s reporting feature. Dating platforms often have mechanisms in place to investigate and remove fraudulent accounts, and user feedback plays a crucial role in maintaining safety on the platform.
- Choose dating apps with a strong track record of prioritizing user safety and privacy: Reputable companies invest in cutting-edge technology to combat identity theft, phishing, and other forms of fraud, ensuring that users can engage in a safer online dating environment.
By taking these steps, users can enhance their safety while reducing the likelihood of falling victim to scams or fraud as they navigate the world of online dating. One way businesses build trust on their platforms is by utilizing Prove’s Trust Score® API – a real-time metric that gauges the reputation of a phone number, offering dating app platforms a comprehensive solution for identity verification and authentication by analyzing factors like phone number and device tenure, companies can effectively uncover and know who’s real behind the profile; so people can swipe up, down, left or right as they please.
This question originally appeared on Quora – the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
