Online Dating and Privacy: A Valentine's Day Special

Over 40 million Americans use dating apps. Globally, that number is more than 300 million. While many find success leveraging dating apps to find love, it's not always a positive experience. In fact, 46% of Americans say dating sites and apps are "not too safe" or "not at all safe." Of female dating app users ages 18-34, 60% said someone continue to contact them after they said they were not interested, and nearly one in five said someone had threatened to physically harm them.

In this episode of Privacy Files, Rich and Sarah celebrate Valentine's Day by discussing the topic of staying safe and private while navigating the world of online dating. The dating app industry is huge. Generating billions of dollars annually, apps like Tinder, Bumble, Match, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish and so many more, offer single people the convenience of sorting through hundreds, if not thousands, of dating profiles from the comfort of home. But how do you safely use dating apps? How do you protect your privacy while searching for love?

Rich and Sarah are joined by Sarah's brother, Chad, to provide his insight into how a member of Gen Z sees the dating app culture.

Rich sets the stage by covering several dating app statistics, including an eye-opening one that one in four Americans admitted to using a dating app to cheat. Even crazier, one in ten Americans said they have been active on a dating app while out on a date with another person.

The conversation then shifts to catfishing and how to spot this scam before it's too late.

From "foodie calls" and the fundamental flaws of dating apps, to plenty of anecdotal dating stories and watching for red flags, this is a great discussion for helping you avoid being scammed while using dating apps.

Links Referenced:

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-other-sara-morrisons-are-ruining-my-inbox?utm_source=pocket-newtab

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/survey-reveals-americans-controversial-dating-app-habits

https://phys.org/news/2018-07-catfish-people-onlineit-money.html

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/states-with-most-catfishing-scams

https://restoreprivacy.com/

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-you-need-know-about-romance-scams

https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/17012-bbb-tip-romance-scams#:~:text=How%20the%20Scam%20Works%3A,t%20meet%20you%20in%20person.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-apes/201909/the-psychology-the-foodie-call

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190621140343.htm

https://nypost.com/2017/08/30/beware-of-foodie-call-dates-who-are-just-in-it-for-a-free-meal/

https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tinder-parent-match-group-set-to-reduce-global-workforce-8418473/

https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/18/okcupid-inbox-attractive/ 

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