Several new safety features are being added to Tinder starting tomorrow. Match Group, which owns Tinder and other dating apps, announced that photo verification, an offensive message feature, and a panic button will be incorporated into the popular online dating app. These additions are meant to provide security for its users, both online and in real life.

Your silent bodyguard

Tinder has teamed up with the personal safety app Noonlight — described as a “silent bodyguard” — to integrate a go-to panic button that calls for help when triggered in its platform. It works by receiving information about an upcoming date with another user and saves details like the person’s identity, the time, date as well as the location of the meetup. If users feel uncomfortable in any situation, they can discreetly send an alert and call emergency services through the in-app safety centre.

However, to access the safety centre, users first need to download the Noonlight app and enable location tracking. Once that has been completed, they have the option to add a blue badge to their profile. The badge also acts as a deterrent that Match Group’s CEO, Mandy Ginsberg, likens to a security system lawn sign, informing other users about Noonlight’s protection.

Though some might have concerns over providing their location details, Mandy Ginsberg assured users that the information will not be used for marketing purposes.

Other new Tinder safety features

An additional personalized safety centre presents resources and tools that guide users through the online dating service with ease.

A new Does It Bother You? tool detects potentially hurtful or offensive messages on the app through AI and sends a popup asking users if the messages bother them. Members need simply to reply “yes” or “no,” and are given the option of reporting the other user. A related Undo feature reminds users to check messages that the app suspects are offensive.

Tinder’s photo verification hopes to cut down on the necessity of the panic button by screening the app for catfish. App users receive a blue verification mark on their profiles by taking photos that match a series of sample poses. Tinder’s community team will then review the consistency between the submitted photos and those previously uploaded to the app.

When they’re rolled out tomorrow, these features will attempt to make the platform a safer place for its users to connect and make connections with confidence. However, when it comes to these security updates, Match Group has the advantage of analyzing how they have been received on other apps. Unfortunately, Tinder is currently trailing in terms of user safety compared to others.

Sources: https://www.dazeddigital.com/science-tech/article/47618/1/dating-app-tinder-launching-a-panic-button-noonlight
https://blog.gotinder.com/tinder-introduces-safety-updates/