Is Tinder Safe?

Tinder is one of those apps that are free and not free. What exactly do I mean? Free, in the sense that any individual can get onto it through ordinary access to an android phone and knowledge to set up profiles and not free because you only gain access to many of the features unless you pay; this business model is what they call “freemium”. Therefore, any Tom, Dick or Harry can pick an Android or IOS phone, download the app and begin swiping right on anybody. It is for this reason that many users often question the safety of the Tinder app. 

We all understand that Tinder is an app primarily for dating and dating comes romantic involvements in some situations. However, this is not always the case; sometimes dating might contain hidden threats to your physical and emotional well being, especially online dating. Therefore, it is essential that every user is extravagantly cautious on Tinder because it provides access to various people.

>>Also Read: Is Tinder Gold Worth It?

Tips To Stay Safe On Tinder

This app is as safe as any other app that can be found in its specific category- generic dating apps and applications. The app is designed to help its users speedily and diligently make emotional connections without necessarily looking through the background of a particular user. They are focused on creating casual and short term relationships rather than long term ones. However, the safety of this particular app alongside many of the other apps in its category is dependent on the ability of the user to follow simple safety guidelines. The precautions which have already been stated out when communicating with people or going on dates with people met on the app. Therefore, the following are some of the precautions that each user of Tinder should adopt into their rule book while going on a Tinder date.

Protect Your Personal and Financial Information

Your personal information should remain personal and not publicly shared. When creating your Tinder profile, never include personal information such as your credit card information, social security number, or any other banking or financial information. Apart from including it on your profile, refrain from sharing these details with anyone who asks for it on Tinder. Also, except necessary or essential to you, avoid sharing definitive information such as your full name, your phone number, your relatives, your office, your email address, and even your home address. For your safety and protection, you should only give this sort of information to another Tinder user you are comfortable enough to go on a date. Never disclose too much information with another user even if you plan to go on a date. You could never be sure of their identity. 

>>Also Read: Is Tinder Free?

Report Strange and Suspicious Tinder Accounts

In your Tinder interactions, if you ever feel suspicious or uncomfortable with another user’s actions, do not hesitate to report such an account. Even in situations where someone has swiped right on you, but you feel like that particular user is not who they claim to be. You perceive a scam, then do not hesitate to report such an account to the Tinder management team. Because your safety is of utmost importance, I have deemed it important to provide you with a list of situations that you should consider suspicious and report worthy on Tinder.

Be Mindful Of The Following Type Of People and Their Behavior

• The user requests your account username and password.
• A user that sends you links to third party websites.
• Users that insist on meeting you even when you are not ready. 
• A user that asks for financial assistance, such as loans, or requests your financial details.
• People with two or more profiles with varying details.
• Users that ask for your home address, usually, under the pretense of sending you gifts.
• A user that sends you offensive and threatening messages.
• People that misbehave and attempt to force activities you are not interested in.

Here Are A Pointers To Make Sure You Have A Safe Tinder Date

Make Sure You Are Ready Before You Go On a Date

Do not feel pressured to go on a date with anyone unless you are absolutely ready, there is no pressure. Going on a date is an important step in every Tinder relationship. Therefore, make sure that you move at a pace you find comfortable, ask as many questions as possible till you get to that start of being where you feel like you have learned enough about a particular individual to make you comfortable. Some individuals might even go as far as running a background check on the user based on the details provided in their profile. If the user does not mind, then this might be a clear sign that they are sincere and trustworthy people; and they understand your need to feel secure. However, if the person has a contrary reaction, then they might have ulterior motives, or you both might not be the match you thought.

>>Also Read: Who Do Online Dating Scams Work?

Take Proper Precautions

When you are ready to talk or meet up with that user you’ve been communicating with for a while on Tinder, it is crucial that you set some precautions that would not make you completely vulnerable. You are going on a date with someone you have never met; he/she could be an absolutely different person from who they are on the app. Therefore, you should never let your guard down completely. 

Before you meet someone for a Tinder date, make sure that you inform a friend or close family member of the details of the date, such as the location, details of the person, and the time you are expected to return from the date. You should have established a way to remain in contact with them through your date by holding on to your mobile phones at all times or sharing your location with them.

It would be best if you never went on a date with someone you met on the Tinder app in an isolated or private environment. Imagine the most public place you could think of; a cinema, a fair, a bustling restaurant, these crowded areas should be the perfect location. Your date would be less willing to engage in suspicious or uncomfortable actions when there is a good number of people around to step in.

Do not allow your date to be your means of transportation. Depending on someone you are not familiar with to be your date can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is advisable that you plan your means of transportation.

>>Also Read: Top 15 Online Dating Tips

How Have The Developers Made Tinder Safe?

Your safety is not dependent on the actions of the user only, the Tinder development and management team is also concerned with your safety, and the Tinder app itself has some features focused toward keeping its users safe.

The photo verification feature is a way to verify whether people are who they say they are on their profile picture. People who are not catfishes are given a blue checkmark verification badge on their profile once they have passed the photo verification.

The Noonlight feature is a way for users to contact emergency services in case the plan does not go as planned or one of the parties feels threatened.

Finally, the “Does This Bother You?” feature allows you to report offensive and inappropriate messages on the app.

Is Tinder Safe? – Final Thoughts

Determining the safety of the Tinder app is dependent on the user’s ability to take the necessary precautions. The tips offered in this article should help you stay safe on Tinder; however, never forget to listen to your gut and practice common sense.

>>Also Read: How to Know if Your Online Date Is Into You?

Tinder is one of those apps that are free and not free. What exactly do I mean? Free, in the sense that any individual can get onto it through ordinary access to an android phone and knowledge to set up profiles and not free because you only gain access to many of the features unless…