Is Your Dating App Watching You Online?

You’ve swiped right on a dating app and have a match – so what do you do next? Check out their social media profile, of course.

But some online daters go a step further by researching their potential dates on search engines, professional networking sites, and even paying background checks according to new research.

The practice – known as creeping – is becoming more and more common, with three in five (61%) of online daters admitting to having checked their match on the internet, while 6% even confessed to having paid for verifications. antecedents.

But according to the study, published by cybersecurity experts at Nortonall this activity actually reduces the chances of romance.

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Nearly half of those who used an online dating website or app (44%) in the survey say they weren’t matched with someone after learning new information from their topic.

This includes nearly one in six who find photos of someone online that don’t match their dating profile (16%) and one in eight who find photos online that they find disturbing (13%) .

“It’s natural to want to know more about the person you’re talking to online,” says Jo Hemmings, behavioral psychologist and dating coach.

“What’s important is that online daters are able to find the balance between nurturing their curiosity – and maybe giving themselves peace of mind that their partner is who they say they are – and firing to harassing behavior, which could impact the chances of romance.Because so many people have an online presence, it’s easier than ever to delve into someone’s online past, such as the shows this report.To avoid being swayed or disappointed by what they find, online daters should avoid going too far in their research while keeping in mind how much they too share publicly online.

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Despite the known dangers associated with excessive sharing online, four in five respondents use their full name on dating platforms (83%), which poses a risk to their online privacy.

Of UK adults who embarked on a physical date with someone they had never met before, only 8% shared their location with a friend or family member beforehand.

The study, which surveyed more than 10,000 people worldwide – including 1,000 Britons, also found that even those who aren’t signed up to a dating app or website can still be slipped.

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Some Britons surveyed admit they have watched a romantic interest’s music account (7%), while one in five aged 18-39 (20%) say they have scrolled through a romantic interest’s social media feed romantic interest and accidentally “deeply loved” an old post or photo.

“The research highlights how much more a stranger can learn about you simply by connecting with them on a dating app or site,” said Steve Wilson, UK and Ireland director at Norton.

“These services are constantly evolving with new features and new ways to interact, but it’s clear that the information you choose to share on your dating profile can compromise your privacy. For many people, your entire online presence is fair game, and it’s important to protect your personal information, as those you correspond with often find out more about you than you think.