This question is especially for those who have used or are using online dating to meet new people, form relationships, hook up, etc. How do y’all balance the (online) dating scene with your own level of concern regarding privacy/security?

For example, some of these concerns may be that many dating apps are owned by a few companies, dating apps sometimes require linking to sensitive information (real phone number, google accounts, pictures, …), or that they can have vary intrusive trackers, etc

What are the steps you have made to address these concerns, if you have them? Or what are the compromises you have made? How successful are these attempts?

Let me start sharing first (in broad-stroke) about my personal experience. I’m mostly concerned with how my data are handled, transferred between, and used by different services. My concerns usually make using these apps much harder, sometimes even impossible, for example I’m hesitant to share my real phone number to sign up, and I’d prefer to limit my gmail use when possible. But that has also limited my opportunity to meet people online. Though honestly, such interactions have not been meaningful.

I’ve stopped for a while now but thinking of getting back. Just want some perspective on whether it’s worth it, and how I should orient myself with the tradeoffs.

  • Tiuku
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    1 year ago

    There’s Alovoa but there aren’t many users…
    On the flip side, if you do happen to meet someone there, there’s a high change that they already grasp privacy, FOSS, etc.

    • QuazarOmega@lemy.lol
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      1 year ago

      Is there any review out there? I’d like to see how it works aside from hearing people’s opinion on it

      • Tiuku
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        1 year ago

        No idea but it works along these lines:

        • Make a profile
        • Set what you are looking for. E.g. males, a relationship
        • Browse other compatible profiles
        • Like/dislike
        • People see who has liked them
        • Two persons liking each other can chat