The recent Netflix documentary, Lover, Stalker, Killer, has brought to light a chilling reality - the potential dangers of online dating. Additional research has shown numerous instances of individuals being stalked and even murdered as a result of their interactions on these platforms.

This issue is personal to me after recently learning that two of my guy friends as well as one guy I met on an app all have recently been arrested for domestic violence, yet are still active on the apps. Myself & countless others have become acutely aware that we never truly know who we're talking to on these apps & that there are not always red flags available, therefore the best precaution would be for all dating apps to only show fully vetted users. 

Dating apps are a multi-billion dollar industry. Platforms like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Coffee Meets Bagel, OkCupid, The League, Zoosk Upward and many others have revolutionized the way people meet and interact. However, with this innovation comes an urgent need for safety measures that protect users from potential harm.

According to Statista (2021), there were approximately 44.2 million users of online dating sites in the U.S alone last year. Yet despite this vast user base, comprehensive background checks are not currently required for members to create a profile on any online dating apps or websites.

We believe it's time for change - time for these companies to prioritize user safety over profits by implementing mandatory background checks for all members wishing to create profiles on their platforms.

To allow for user safety and the dating apps to NOT have users' information such as their social security cards & addresses, the background checks could be run through the same 3rd party website that employers use & only once verification is completed through this website, the users would be allowed on the app. This one time verification process would then allow the user to gain access to any dating app & the verification would be validated through the dating apps' APIs. This initiative would prevent those attempting to join dating apps with the intent to harm or scam from being able to do so.

As a multi-billion dollar industry, dating app companies should be putting more precautions in place than they are currently doing to ensure that those who use their services are safe from potential threats posed by other users with malicious intent and/or criminal backgrounds.

Let's make online dating safer together! Please sign this petition urging all dating apps to require background checks for their members.