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A link from Topix.com lead me to an article from The Canadian titled, Privacy and Online Dating are not Mutually Exclusive.
The article turned out to be more of a sale pitch for an online dating site, than a discussion about privacy in dating websites. What was being advertised was type of security feature offered by the dating website.
The site offers references from friends and family, and claims that this helps keep profiles honest and can give daters a sense of security in regards to whom they are dating.
No offense is intended here, but how many times have we all seen news reports that include interviews with friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers of individuals who have committed crimes stating that they never thought the person in question was capable of such things or that they will never believe the facts uncovered in intense police and the prosecution’s investigation.
My point is that while having a friend or family member state they think the person in question is fabulous, it does not truly amount to a hill of beans as friends and family members can be completely biased. Some swear by this method, while others have been misled by it. Anyone utilizing such features should do so with caution.
If you want security features, try out online dating websites that run background checks as part of the service. These sites only check the basics, such as verifying their name, age, divorce status, and city of residence, but that much can give you a solid foundation from which to start.
When it comes to evaluating others, in my experience, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure – so the person whose opinion and insights count the most would be yours. How does the person in question treat you? How do they act around you? Do they seem evasive or open? Do they seem to be hiding something? Do they respect your wishes when it comes to getting acquainted or are they trying to rush you? Trust your judgment, do not take things at face value, and ask a lot of questions.
On the topic of privacy, there are sites that allow you to use a username rather than your real name, though not all do. There are also sites that allow you to input your location as it displays on your profile. Many women I know, and myself, have used this feature to help maintain our privacy and security by typing in general location descriptors rather than actual city names. Nevertheless, not all sites will allow you to do this.
The bottom line is that when it comes to your own security and privacy, there are no absolute guarantees, but you can come close to creating one with the wise choices you make in your own online dating experiences.
Today’s Question: When it comes to listing your location on your online dating website profile, what do you list? If you use a descriptor, please share it with us here.
