On September 12th, 2012, the Tinder dating app was released, first for iOS and then for Android. Sean Rad, Jonathan Badeen, Justin Mateen, Joe Munoz, Dinesh Moorjani, and Whitney Wolfe formed the organization (who later left and started Bumble).
Tinder has been downloaded more than 400 million times and has led to 55 billion matches since it launched in 2012. As of early in 2021, the Tinder app has been downloaded more than 400 million times.
Tinder makes use of location in part to match users, and they popularized swiping, which allows users to swipe right to like someone and swipe left to hate them on their profile images. It is called a match when both users click right on each other's photos, and you can then message each other.
An opening line on Tinder can easily turn sour. Negging, stalking, cruelty—or worse—can quickly devolve into conversations. Although there are several Instagram accounts dedicated to revealing these "Tinder nightmares," or Tinder harassment the company discovered that only a small percentage of users showed activity that violated its community standards.
4 ways to deal with harassment on Tinder
- Make use of an app that verifies users.
To avoid facing tinder harassment opt for apps and social media which verifies the users. It reduces the risk of being harassed right away because it has been shown that being connected to other networks enhances users' general behavior and courtesy.
- Understand what constitutes abuse or harassment on tinder and how to report it.
Various offenses can be performed depending on the circumstances. Harassment is when someone calls you regularly despite your requests not to, for example. It is also illegal to send malicious, menacing, or pornographic messages (such as rape threats or inappropriate sexual photos).
It may seem self-evident, but it is a well-known phenomenon that many people who are harassed do nothing to report it and just close their own account. Don't be intimidated: the law - and the apps - are on your side. Instead, immediately block and notify the offending user.
- Screenshot the evidence
Dating apps, contrary to common opinion, cannot read the DMs sent between users. Many apps may ask for more information about what happened in order to ensure the offending person is properly prevented and to prevent them from harassing others. Take a screenshot of the offensive messages and send them to the support service, along with the specifics. This prevents a sly suspect from contesting the complaint.
- Notify the authorities
While apps with a conscience will do everything possible to investigate your complaint and protect your safety, only the authorities like police will actually protect you and prosecute someone who is making your life a living hell through their harassment on tinder.
Types of Online Harassment on Tinder[and ways to deal it]
- Cyber stalking
This is similar to stalking and is illegal both federally and in many state laws around the country. Cyber stalking entails simply following or tracking someone on the internet and Harassing , threatening, bullying, intimidating, or slandering them.
If you're being stalked online, keep backups of all communications, make sure the guy knows you don't want the behavior to continue, and call the cops. If at all practicable, block the user on all websites. Do not try to contact or meet with the individual; this may be very risky and place you in danger.
- Doxing
Doxing is a difficult crime to prove, but it entails posting private information about someone online with the intent of harassing or intimidating them. Private information such as non-public phone numbers, a person's address, financial information, or even their online usernames linked to their real names and information may be included in this data.
The difficulty in arguing this is a felony is that the records cannot be made public, and the purpose of revealing it is to attack, annoy, and harass. Check to see if your keys have been updated and if any official information about you has been deleted from pages before reporting this activity to the authorities.
- Impersonating Someone Online
It is against the law to use another person's name or persona on the internet. This type of impersonation is typically used to gather information about you by making you believe you're speaking with a trusted friend, business partner, or online acquaintance.
If you've become a target of impersonation, notify the event to the site's website owner, update the credentials, use two-factor verification, and consult an attorney if the identity is being damaged.
- Trolling
Trolling isn't illegal, but it is widely practiced on social media. It entails making unwelcome, abusive, or contentious remarks that cause tension, and it can be perpetrated by a single individual or a group of people working together.
If you've been a victim of trolling or tinder harassment, block the people who are doing it, report them to the web administrator, and don't argue or complain against them online. This problem can also be solved by making your page or posts private.
- Cat fishing
It entails creating a fictitious character and communicating with other fictitious characters. It's not illegal, but if the individual tried to extort money or other valuables from you, you might be able to pursue legal action.
If you meet anyone online, don't say they're telling the truth. People who seem to be so perfect or who seem to be just the person you've always wanted to encounter should be avoided at all costs; they may be acting.
Dating Safety Tips by Tinder for Females
- Never Send Money or Share Financial Information
- Protect Your Personal Information
- Stay on the Platform
- Be Wary of Long Distance and Overseas Relationships
Report All Suspicious and Offensive Behavior
You know that someone has crossed the line, and we want to know when they do. Anyone that violates our terms will be blocked and reported. Here are a few examples of infringements:
- Requests for financial assistance or gifts
- Users under the age of eighteen
- Threats, harassment, and abusive communications
- Fraudulent profiles Inappropriate or adverse activity before or during a face-to-face meeting
- Spam or solicitation, which may include access to commercial websites or offers to sell goods or services
Protect Your Account
Always use a good password when signing into your account from a public or shared computer, and be cautious when logging in from a public or shared computer. Tinder would never give you an email asking for your username and password information; if you ever get such an email, please report it right away.
Resources for Help, Support, or Advice
- National Women’s Helpline
- 1091 or 181
- National Commission for Women
- 011-26942369
- RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
- 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | online.rainn.org | www.rainn.org
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- 1-877-739-3895 | www.nsvrc.org
Reference:
Tinder Information, Statistics, Facts and History - Dating Sites Reviews
The Different Types of Online Harassment and What to Do about Them (zoosk.com)
Tinder Swipes Right on AI to Help Stop Harassment | WIRED
Safety And Policy | Tinder | Match. Chat. Meet. Modern Dating.