Tinder releases yet another feature to stop inappropriate messages

Tinder is beefing up its user warnings in order to encourage "good in-app behaviour," the app said in a press release.

This is far from the first time the dating app has tried to discourage disrespectful and/or creepy messages on its platform. The 'Does This Bother You?' feature, introduced in 2020, flags potentially-inappropriate messages and asks the user on the receiving end if they wish to report it. The following year, Tinder launched 'Are You Sure?', a similar feature for those sending such messages. Using machine learning, the feature detects harmful language and asks users if they're sure they want to send those messages.

Tinder also updated its Community Guidelines last year, attempting to increase "authenticity, respect, and inclusivity" on the app. As part of the changes, Tinder removed social media handles from bios to foster personal connections as opposed to networking. Tinder also asked users not to catfish and not to send false reports, either.

As part of this latest update, Tinder makes all users aware of the updated Community Guidelines when creating a profile. The new warnings are classified under categories of authenticity, respectfulness, or inclusivity, the three values the app wants to encourage. The app will continue to use the machine-learning tech of 'Does This Bother You?' and 'Are You Sure?' to detect Community Guidelines violations, and will use human verification to do so as well, the press release stated.

Tinder's new warning when a user violates Community Guidlines. Credit: Screenshot: Tinder

Warnings will be displayed in-app messages from "Team Tinder," and explain what breach has occurred. They can't be deleted. The warning reads:

Hello — we noticed behaviour that goes against our Community Guidelines.

If repeated, it may result in your account being banned.

It's important that everyone feels welcome on Tinder, which starts with respectfulness. Any type of bullying, harassment or activity that causes harm to another person is never OK and won't be tolerated on Tinder.

You can read our full Community Guidelines at any time to learn more.

If you believe you're receiving this by mistake and would like more information or to appeal this decision, please visit the Appeals Centre.

Users risk being kicked off the app if they repeat violations.

"Our Community Guidelines form the basis of a respectful ecosystem," said Tinder's VP of trust and safety operations, Nicole Blumenfeld, in the press release. "These warnings are designed to provide transparency and to alert users when they are not engaging in acceptable and respectful behaviour. By providing greater transparency to users about their behaviour, not only are we enabling them to immediately 'course correct' but also foster a better experience for the wider Tinder community."

Considering how many times the app has tried to curb harmful behavior over the years, it remains to be seen how well these new warnings will work.