TECH CRUNCH – Match Group is introducing in-app messages and email notifications to give users tips on preventing being scammed online throughout January. But Match said it would continue pushing these messages to users periodically. The in-app messages will include tips, common behaviors to watch out for, and suggestions such as ensuring matches have their profile picture verified, video chatting with them before meeting in person, and learning to recognize scammer red flags. In 2021, FTC reported that consumers lost $547M. The average reported loss in the U.S. was $186K in 2022, up from $121K in 2021.
Category: Outlets – Tech Crunch
Tinder Launches ‘Relationship Goals’
Facebook to Test Age Verification Tech on Facebook Dating
TECH CRUNCH – Facebook Dating will now serve as the testing grounds for further experimentation with new age verification technologies, including video selfies and ID uploads. The company will expand its partnership with online age verification provider Yoti to verify the ages of Facebook Dating users when it suspects they've lied about their real age. When Facebook's AI detects someone who may be under the age of 18 trying to use Facebook dating, it will send them a prompt to verify their age.
Bumble Rolls out ‘Compliments,’ a New Message-Before-Match Feature
Hinge Allows Users to Add Their “Relationship Type” to Their Profile
TECH CRUNCH – Hinge rolls out a feature that allows users to add their "Relationship Type" to their profile, whether that be "monogamous," "non-monogamous," or "figuring out my relationship type." The update lets users express precisely what they’re looking for to more efficiently minimize unsuited matches. Like Hinge's "Dating Intentions" profile feature, there's a "Backstory" open-text option, so users can add more context about their relationship type.
Google Play to Pilot Third-party Billing in New Markets
TECH CRUNCH – Google is expanding its user choice billing pilot, which allows Android app developers to use other payment systems besides Google's own. The program will now become available to new markets, including the U.S., Brazil and South Africa, and Bumble will now join Spotify as one of the pilot testers. Google additionally announced Spotify will now begin rolling out its implementation of the program starting this week. Developers interested in adopting user choice billing have to follow certain UX guidelines set by Google that detail how to implement the feature in their apps. While the general terms offer a 4% reduction in commissions paid to Google when user choice billing is used, Spotify wouldn't comment on its confidential deal with Google, but notes it meets the company's standards of fairness. It's unclear if the streamer has been offered more favorable terms as an early adopter.
Relationship App Sparks Helps Couples Plan Dates
Bumble Is Testing Speed Dating
TECH CRUNCH – Bumble has been quietly testing a speed dating feature in the U.K., which allows users to join the app on a designated night and time to engage in brief chats with other members before they've seen their photo or matched. If the date goes well, the members can choose to match to keep the conversation going. Bumble has been offering speed dating on Thursdays at 7 PM in the U.K. However, according to some posts by users on social media, the service didn't always have enough users to get the game started. Others who tried it had positive things to say about the experience, however.
Inner Circle Adds a Suite of Anti-ghosting Features
Tinder Celebrates National Dog Week
