Online dating apps bring ease of connection but also higher risks of scams and other pitfalls. — Image by Freepik
In the age of online romance, where swipes replace first glances, dating apps have somewhat revolutionised how users meet people.
However, underneath the surface of excitement and connection lurk profound concerns involving duplicity and the encroachment of personal privacy.
This raises a fundamental question: do dating platforms offer a safe haven for users in their quest for companionship?
Catfishing, a term popularised by a 2010 American documentary TV series, is linked with the art of masquerading as someone entirely different within the digital sphere.
It has become an act that has found fertile ground in the era of online dating.
A 25-year-old events executive who only wanted to be known as Shannon recounted her experience of growing close to someone not verified on an online dating app platform, only to discover that he wasn’t who he appeared to be.
“At first, we hit it off really well. We seemed pretty compatible, so I wasn’t too bothered that it wasn’t a verified account.
“However, after two weeks of conversing on the app, I started to grow suspicious of him as he started pressuring me to disclose my Facebook account,” said Shannon.
Catfishing, a term popularised by a 2010 American documentary TV series, is linked with the art of masquerading as someone entirely different within the digital sphere. — 123rf.com
It was only when a friend forwarded her the authentic Instagram profile of the person in question did she realise she was ensnared in a catfisher’s web.
“Through my friend, I found out that my match had been using images of a micro-influencer without his consent.
“I felt really disappointed and anxious, mainly because I no longer had an idea of who I had been sharing my life details with all this time,” she said.
Shannon confronted the catfisher and was swiftly unmatched. She reported the incident to the platform but received no updates and hasn’t pursued the matter further.
Although she was aware that dating apps have introduced privacy features such as ID and photo verification to curb such issues and ensure user safety, she feels the platforms have limited control over preventing their users from oversharing personal details.
“As much as I try to be mindful about how much information I share with people on dating apps, it is very easy to start oversharing with someone because that is what keeps the conversation going,” she said.
The chief executive officer of the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (Content Forum), Mediha Mahmood, said that as the Internet becomes an integral part of everyday life, users may unintentionally overshare their personal lives and information online.
“There is a notion whereby, even if someone sees or hears stories about the negative consequences of oversharing, they may believe it won’t happen to them personally,” she said.
She explained that while users may believe they are sharing limited details, there is a risk that others could potentially exploit vulnerabilities or conduct targeted attacks, highlighting the need for cautious sharing even of seemingly innocuous information.
For your eyes only?
Diana (not her real name), a 23-year-old psychology student, opened up about how a verified account she matched with on a dating platform attempted to blackmail her after getting hold of her phone number and social media handles.
“I gave it to him without much thought since it was a verified account, and he expressed an interest in getting to know me better,” she said.
In a typical romance scam, fraudsters create fake online profiles using someone else's photos. They profess their love early on, even though they have never met you. They encourage you to communicate with them via email, phone or IM, rather than through the online dating site, so that the dating service won’t have a record of the conversation. — TNS
The situation took a sharp turn when Diana started receiving unsolicited WhatsApp messages from unfamiliar numbers. These messages contained threats to disseminate explicit content to her friends unless their demand for payment was met.
“I received a video of the scammer scrolling through my Instagram followers, accompanied by a voice note in which they threatened to send explicit content claiming it was mine if I didn’t pay a ransom,” she said.
Diana added that the scammer even threatened to publish screenshots of her dating app and other social media profiles to Telegram groups, an act that is referred to as doxing.
She reported and blocked the scammer, and she also opted to make all her social media accounts private.
After experiencing the incident, Diana believes that users should not be fully reliant on dating app platforms to ensure their online safety.
Mediha explains that while users may believe they are sharing limited details, there is a risk that others could potentially exploit vulnerabilities or conduct targeted attacks, highlighting the need for cautious sharing even of seemingly innocuous information. — PUAN MEDIHA MAHMOOD
Mediha explained that even with the verification processes implemented by dating apps, there is always the possibility of users facing harassment.
“There are some users who place significant trust in the verification process conducted by dating apps, as they believe that a verified badge translates to a genuine and safe interaction,” she said.
She encouraged users to always critically evaluate interactions and remain cautious, adding that “verification, while providing a level of authenticity, doesn’t eliminate the potential for inappropriate behaviour”.
“Users need to strike a balance between having trust in the verification process and maintaining a vigilant approach. Verification doesn’t guarantee a person’s intentions, so it’s best to stay aware of their behaviour,” she said.
Diana’s encounter serves as an illustration of how users can still fall victim to online scam tactics despite dating apps having the technology and protocols in place.
Positive progress
According to SimilrWeb, Tinder, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel have emerged as popular dating apps in the country in terms of usage, dominating both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Mediha highlighted notable investments in improving security measures by dating apps. These platforms have taken steps, such as introducing features like identity verification and user blocking, to counter unwanted advances and suspicious activities.
In the realm of online dating, platforms may promise safety, but users must stay alert to steer clear of lurking perils, including catfishing and scams. — Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik
Using Tinder as an example, she explained that the platform utilises a blend of automated scanning tools and manual reviews to prevent inappropriate behaviours, adding that “the community reporting feature adds an additional layer, enhancing the overall effectiveness of these preventive measures”.
Furthermore, other dating platforms like Bumble and Coffee Meets Bagel have established policies and guidelines that prohibit impersonation, abuse, and other harmful activities to help shield users from harmful conduct.
“We can see that currently, the combination of verification features, user controls, tools and stringent policies contributes to the effectiveness of dating app platforms in preventing practices like catfishing and deception.
“Proactive monitoring by the dating apps is, however, crucial to enhancing user safety and maintaining the integrity of the platform.
“As the digital landscape evolves, dating apps need to stay ahead of emerging threats and challenges to protect users effectively,” she added.
Apt access
Ong Fun Ping, chief executive officer of NetAssist, a cybersecurity company, said that users need to be mindful not to overshare their personal details on multiple apps to minimise their chances of falling victim to online threats and scams.
Ong advised against users connecting their dating app profiles to other social media platforms, as this can heighten the user's vulnerability to potential cybersecurity risks. — ONG FUN PING
He advised against connecting their dating app profiles to other social media platforms, as this can increase the user’s vulnerability to potential cybersecurity risks.
“From a cybersecurity standpoint, we discourage any inter-sharing of profile data. The more external applications linked to the dating app, the higher the user’s risk becomes,” said Ong.
Mediha shared similar thoughts on the topic of users needing to be conscious of their digital footprint and their online information, adding that they should make use of the privacy settings on both dating apps and social media platforms to control who can access personal information.
“Select photos that are not readily available on social media platforms to mitigate the risk of reverse image searches.
“Choosing unique images adds an extra layer of protection against potential misuse,” she said.
She also advised users to regularly review and manage their public profiles on social media networks.
Mediha stressed the importance of taking immediate action in the unfortunate event of falling victim to online threats. The first step is to report the incident promptly to the dating app platform for the company to conduct a thorough investigation and implement necessary measures to mitigate the threat.
“Next, users should document and gather evidence related to the online threats. This can include screenshots of the conversations, related profiles, or any explicit content involved.
“If the threats escalate or involve criminal activities such as harassment, stalking, or explicit threats, consider filing a police report. Provide the gathered evidence to law enforcement to aid in their investigation,” she said.
She further emphasised that it was crucial for individuals facing love or other online scams to be aware of the avenues for reporting and seeking assistance.
“The Complaints Bureau of the Content Forum is a valuable resource for such cases. As an independent body under the Content Forum, its primary purpose is to address complaints related to content disseminated over electronic networks.
“We firmly believe that popular dating apps, with their robust safety measures, can effectively act as formidable chaperones of online romance.
“Should you encounter rule-breakers, do exercise your rights by promptly lodging a report. Moreover, in the face of possible encounters with relentless scammers or extortion attempts, reach out to the dating app’s dedicated customer support team while considering taking it a step further with a police report.
“The art of online dating is made better when we synchronise romance with vigilance,” she concluded.
