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Green dating is becoming a trend among UK daters, according to a new study by dating app Bumble.

In recent months, Bumble added a feature for daters to include values in their profiles, not only to highlight their priorities to other daters, but also to support a cause, including for environmental, social or political justice. Each time a user sends a message to another user, the company will donate to select organizations that work for these causes. 

According to Bumble, 27 percent of UK users selected “environmentalism” as their highest value.

Scammers stole more than $1.4 million from users of popular dating apps like Tinder, Grindr and Bumble, among others. Dubbed “CryptoRom” by cybersecurity research firm Sophos, the attackers feigned romantic interest with victims to build trust, and then lured them into downloading fake cryptocurrency apps.

According to reports, these scammers used Apple’s Enterprise Development platform to push the fake cryptocurrency apps, which gave the victims a sense that they were legitimate, but in reality, this allowed scammers to bypass the normal app review process. 

The CryptoRom attackers set up fake profiles on dating apps and strike up conversations with users, later moving them to messaging apps. After a time, the subject of cryptocurrency is introduced into the conversation, and the scammer asks the victim to install the fake crypto trading app to make an investment. At first, the victim makes money and is allowed to withdraw from their account, providing a false sense of security. Soon after, they are asked to make a more substantial contribution, and if they do, the scammers not only refuse their withdrawal requests, but blackmail them to invest more and take the money they already paid if they refuse.

Tinder has partnered with ride sharing company Lyft to let users purchase rides for their dates, encouraging people to meet for dates after more than a year of lockdown restrictions from Covid-19.

The new feature can be found in the company’s Explore section of the app, where a user can buy a ride credit for a person they have matched with, according to The Verge. While the person buying the ride credit can set the meeting location, time, and how much they want to spend, they won’t be able to see their match’s address or other personal information. 

If you are the recipient of a rideshare gift, you have the option to turn it down. When someone has purchased a Lyft ride for a match, the match is sent a link via a phone number or email address, and it is up to that recipient to accept or reject the ride. The Verge points out that while this is a good step in enacting some safety precautions for users and giving them some control, there should also be a way to opt out of the feature altogether. (Currently, there’s not.) 

Tinder is breaking new ground in the dating app industry by offering its own in-app currency for users to spend as they swipe. 

According to Bloomberg, Tinder will be testing in-app “coins” that users obtain by keeping their profiles updated and being active on the app, or alternatively, they can purchase them with real money. The coins can be spent on paid features Tinder offers like Super Likes (letting someone know you’re very interested) and Boosts (which promote your profile to other users).

Tinder is expanding its offerings beyond the swipe to create more stickiness with young daters, and the new currency is a way to monetize these features as people spend more time on its app. The company announced the launch of the Explore section in September, which features short form original content like its hit series Swipe Night and virtual speed dating with “Hot Takes.” 

Woman Tearing Down OkCupid Ad

Image: Twitter

Dating app OkCupid has responded to a viral video showing a woman tearing down posters of its new LGBTQ+ ad campaign “Every Single Person” from a subway train in New York. Two other passengers joined her in the effort, and one filmed and posted the rant.

The notably unmasked woman was reacting to the campaign’s bold images, featuring queer people, pansexuality, and people who identify as non-binary. As she tore down the signs, she claimed to be concerned about children seeing the images, saying that the ads were “affecting the next generation” and calling them “propaganda.”

She also called the images “disgusting” and said that it’s “not about equality, you guys…it’s about communism” with no additional context.

As people return to the office after a year and a half of working from home, Tinder has launched its revamped “Work Mode” feature so users can swipe discreetly. 

Work Mode allows you to use your desktop to search for matches, disguising the dating app as a project management tool so you can inconspicuously go through profiles while looking like you are working, in case your boss or a co-worker stops by your desk. You can access Work Mode by going to Tinder.com and logging in to the desktop platform. From there, you can choose the briefcase icon at the top right corner of the page, which switches the normal screen to the decoy. 

Work Mode looks like a Google doc page with a menu at the top. The left side of the page contains a header that says: “Meeting Agenda” with some dating tips disguised as bullet points, with advice like “arrive early” and “buy first round of drinks.” On the left side of the page, there’s a chart with the headline “statistical analysis” with a generic line graph.

According to Mashable, users can not only swipe, but message their matches while using this feature, which is a new addition in the relaunch. Users can connect their profiles from their work computers and reply to messages discreetly or search for matches, simply by clicking on the briefcase to toggle back and forth from the decoy screen to see your matches.