h2>Dating : When Tech Companies Protect You
We are apprehensive these days about signing new apps and sites and we reluctantly give out our details especially after Facebook scandal. We are wary of Tech companies today more than ever and we are frightened as to what they will do to our data. While we cannot stay completely isolated from technology without any digital footprint but we want to be assured that our data is not used against us.
Tinder , one of the biggest dating application services in the world has introduced a new security feature to protect its LGBTQ users from being targeted in countries where it is criminalized by law when users visit those countries. The feature by default keeps the profile hidden from public using the location services when the users identifying themselves as LGBTQ visits those countries. If the users want their profile remain public, it will let the profile be visible but it will still hide their gender identification and sexual orientation.
This is a laudable effort by a company on various grounds. First, Tinder is mostly seen as a straight people’s app. By introducing this feature, it has made LGBTQ community to feel safe in this app thereby earning their trust and respect. They would eventually gain users from LGBTQ segment making Tinder an inclusive app pandering to everyone.
Second, they have made the positive use of data of its users by protecting their data and securing their identity from being misused by miscreants in countries that is a threat to their life. Tinder has changed image among its users and the hoi-polloi by portraying how it is concerned about its users more than revenue. I feel the other dating apps would follow suit. This ripple will create changes across other companies(non dating services) bringing in some positive change.
Third, I know it is saddening when majority of the world talks about individual rights and freedom of expression, there are still countries where rights and expression are still a day dream for the masses. Technology is meant to bring people forward, advance their thinking and make the society towards an egalitarian one. Its disheartening to see that in spite of prevalent use of technology, it hasn’t changed things for better.
I am not a tech-savvy person but I believe in the potential of technology in transforming the world and society around us. Like Martin Luther King Jr, I wish technology makes the world more tolerant and inclusive for everyone to exist.
