Been testing a couple of options and wanted to sanity-check with people who've spent more time on these. Identity verification on international platforms varies enormously — it's the single most important thing to check.
Free dating apps have genuinely improved but the best features remain locked behind paywalls on most. Tell a trusted friend your plans and share your live location during any first meeting.
Safety practices I always follow:
- Check privacy policies before giving any platform access to your contacts or precise location.
- A VPN helps with general browsing privacy but isn't a complete anonymity solution.
- Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when getting to know someone new online.
- Romance scams follow predictable patterns: quick emotional escalation and requests for money.