The dating app Tinder has existed since 2012. It uses GPS to recognize people in the vicinity of the user and displays their profiles, including pictures and interests. Tinder receives this information from the corresponding Facebook profiles. Users have to link their Tinder account to their Facebook account if they want to use the dating app.
- Tinder has been around since 2012; the app aims to bring people from the local area together.
- Tinder obtains profile information from users’ Facebook accounts.
- The principle: If interested, the user swipes the photo to the right, if not interested, to the left.
- Tinder is more suitable for short, quick acquaintances than for finding the partner for life.
How does Tinder work?
After the user has logged into Tinder via Facebook, the app suggests the first people. Various preferences such as gender, age group and a search radius between 2 and 160 kilometers can be specified under the settings. After looking at each profile, you can decide by swiping left or right whether you are interested in the respective person or not. If there is interest on both sides, users can get in touch and chat with each other.
Use on different platforms
According to digopaul, Tinder can be used on multiple platforms and is available for both iOS and Android devices. If you have an Apple TV, you can also use Tinder in HD resolution on a large monitor. In 2017, Tinder also received a web version; it has also been available in Germany since 2018. Even with the browser version, users have to link their “Tinder Online” account to Facebook. As with mobile devices, it is then possible to call up profiles and start a conversation if there is mutual interest (a “match”).
Since users cannot swipe left or right on the PC screen as they can with a smartphone, the arrow keys on the keyboard replace these swiping movements. If you want to give a so-called Superlike, press the Enter key.
What are super likes?
With a superlike, users express that they particularly like a profile. To be able to use this function, the Tinder user swipes the photo up instead of to the side. Alternatively, he taps the star symbol in the middle. Whoever gives a Superlike appears in the profile of the other with a blue frame and a star. The special thing about Superlike is that each user can only assign one per day. However, a paid membership makes it possible to give several profiles a super-like. In general, however, it is very questionable to what extent the chances of success can be increased by super likes.
Security at Tinder
Like many other dating apps, Tinder sends more user data than necessary. Tinder also receives information about the device used as well as other data such as the name of the cell phone provider. The main problem with Tinder is the fact that the app accesses the user’s Facebook profile – including all contacts. Tinder also reads the smartphone’s GPS data. It is irrelevant how actively the user is using the app, as Tinder gets the location data in the background. In 2013, for example, there was a large Tinder security hole that allowed the current whereabouts of a user to be determined to within a few meters.
In addition, Tinder forces its users to provide personal information about religion or employer via Facebook. Tinder cannot offer comprehensive data and privacy protection.
Chances of success
Tinder’s superficiality in choosing people and making contact is both a blessing and a curse. It is true that many “matches” and quick flirts can arise in a relatively short time. However, it is rather unlikely that users will find a partner for life on the portal, as only external appearances play a role. In addition, boredom can set in relatively quickly, as users keep making similar small talk when making contact.
