Women’s safety is now ‘’at the heart’’ of the world’s largest dating app Tinder, it claims. The tech company is launching a partnership with Campaign group No More, aiming to end domestic violence. Tinder’s first female chief executive, Renate Nyborg, tells BBC News, “Our safety work is never done,”
However, Charity Violence Against Women says, it’s a ‘’small step’’ to address the huge amount of abuse women experience online. Tinder faces problems over abusive interactions, concerning the app attracting sexual predators.
Hiring more women on Tinder
Ms Nyborgh, chief executive officer of Tinder, believes one of the ways to address the issue is to hire more women on Tinder. She has increased the number of working women in the Tinder product by 30%.
She told BBC, “I think there is a difference between knowing something is important and feeling it,”
“Like any woman, I can count all of the experiences that I’ve had that I maybe didn’t want to have – from the way that you’re being addressed to the way you’re treated at work, to the way things can happen when you’re actively dating.
“I think every woman that I speak to has had many experiences like this – and I do think it helps to have some strength in numbers.”
Perpetrators are exploiting apps to meet potential victims
Andrea Simon, End Violence Against Women coalition director says it is vital dating apps such as Tinder take proactive action to address violence and abuse.
“Dating apps are a really popular way for people to meet each other,” she says, “but there is also a worrying side to the way perpetrators are exploiting this to meet potential victims, resulting in a reported increase in rapes of women using dating apps.
“Tinder’s new safety features are a small step to encourage reporting of harassment but do not go far enough to address abuse like rape threats.
“Tech companies like Tinder ultimately profit from a business model that ignores the abuse facilitated by its services.
“It’s critical they are held to account for ensuring users’ safety.”