This came up in conversation recently and I realized I don't actually know the answer. Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone.
Anonymous chat is mostly an illusion unless you're running through a trustworthy VPN and using a burner. Premium sexting platforms that tie to phone numbers are usually not worth the privacy risk.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
- Report suspicious behavior to the platform — most have dedicated teams for this now.
- Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone.
- Reverse image search is your best friend for vetting profile photos quickly.
- Separate browser profiles and email addresses for dating activity are basic hygiene at this point.
- Payment requests from matches should always be treated as a scam regardless of the story behind them.