Facebook’s dating service has launched in Ireland and across Europe as a unique place to find relationships on social networks.
Facebook Dating is an opt-in service where users who first tested in 2018 and launched in the US last year create a unique profile and interact with others from their main Facebook page.
The social media giant hopes to emulate the success of apps like Tinder, Hinge and Bumble, which have millions of users across platforms.
The feature was due to be released in the UK earlier this year, but was delayed due to a documentation time issue with Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC)’s leading EU regulator.
The social media giant said that since its launch in other parts of the world, more than 1.5 billion contests have taken place in the 20 countries where the feature is available.
“Safety, security and privacy are at the forefront,” Facebook said in a statement.
“We’ve worked with experts in these areas to provide easy access to security tips, including the ability to report and block anyone, and to provide easy access and protection for security tips, including preventing people from sending photos, links, payments or videos,” the company said.
“We do not suggest current Facebook friends as potential matches or inform you that you are dating. For example, your dating profile, dating messages, and people you like or match in dating may not appear in your Facebook news feed.
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“We are committed to making Facebook a comfortable place for people to look for a date and start meaningful relationships.”
The dating feature enables users to share stories from Facebook or Instagram to their dating profile, and also includes the Secret Crush tool, which allows users to select up to nine existing friends from the network of interest.
If that person adds you to their own Secret Crush list, they will match, but if they do not create a list or add the first user to it, that information will not be shared.
Once matched, users can go on virtual dates through the platform using video calls built into the dating feature.
Prone to fits of apathy. Unable to type with boxing gloves on. Internet advocate. Avid travel enthusiast. Entrepreneur. Music expert.
