Dating App Tinder Announces Panic Alarm

The popular dating app Tinder recently revealed plans to add a panic button to let users discreetly call for emergency services if they feel they are in danger. The company collaborated with Noonlight, a connected safety platform, to implement the feature.

“Noonlight acts as a silent bodyguard in situations when you’re alone or meeting someone for the first time,” Brittany LeComte, co-founder and CCO of Noonlight, said in a statement released by Tinder. “Now, through our integration with Tinder, it can serve as a quick backup for daters, helping to deter bad behavior and helping members meet matches with more confidence.”

Users will also be able to submit details of their upcoming dates, including time and location. LeComte called it a “first-of-its-kind added safety measure” for Tinder users. According to the Wall Street Journal, if a person triggers the Noonlight alarm, the app will ask them to submit a code. If they don’t, a dispatcher will send them a text. If that goes unanswered, the company will notify authorities.

Tinder is also introducing “verified profiles” which include blue checkmarks on user pages just like those found on Twitter and Instagram. In order to receive a checkmark, users will have to go through a photo verification process to prove they are who they depict on the app.

“Every day, millions of our members trust us to introduce them to new people, and we’re dedicated to building innovative safety features powered by best-in-class technology that meet the needs of today’s daters,” Tinder CEO Elie Seidman said in the announcement. “I’m proud to share these updates, which represent an important step in driving our safety work forward at an unmatched scale.”