Simon Leviev, the man behind the infamous Tinder Swindler case, is planning to launch a new dating app called Safe Love. The app will feature several safety measures, including ID checks, facial verification, and an SOS feature designed to protect users from romance scammers and unsafe situations. Leviev gained international notoriety after a 2022 Netflix documentary detailed how women claimed they had been deceived and scammed through dating apps.
The proposal for Safe Love has sparked a mixed reaction online, with many people expressing skepticism and even outrage. Some have questioned whether Leviev, who has been sentenced to several years in prison in three different countries, is the right person to be launching a dating app focused on safety. An organization representing the online dating industry has called for the proposed app to be stopped, with Apple and Google being urged to prevent it from appearing in their app stores.
According to Barbara Friedman, a presenter on 702/CapeTalk, Leviev's plan has been met with comments such as "are we being punked?" and others have questioned whether the app should be supported at all. Friedman described the proposal as one of the more offbeat stories making the rounds, pointing out the apparent irony of Leviev wanting to create a dating app focused on safety. "The man who allegedly scammed women out of millions of dollars on dating apps says he's reformed," she said.
Despite the skepticism, some have argued that Leviev may be well-placed to educate people about online safety. "Who better to educate women from getting scammed?" one person suggested. CapeTalk's Clarence Ford joked that hackers are often the best cybersecurity experts, and that Leviev knows the tricks of the trade. However, Friedman was unequivocal in her response, saying "that's a no from me" when it came to downloading the app.
The conversation also turned to how dramatically dating has changed since the emergence of dating apps. Friedman recalled using a dating app in the late 2000s and noted that dating apps have become part of everyday life for younger people. "It's a way to meet people that you would never meet," she said. However, when it comes to a dating app launched by the man known as the Tinder Swindler, the presenters appeared considerably less enthusiastic.
Leviev's history with the law has also raised concerns. He has been sentenced to several years in prison in three different countries and has been arrested multiple times. Friedman pointed out that Leviev's past actions have caused many people to question his motives and whether he is genuinely interested in creating a safe dating app.
The launch of Safe Love is set to be a contentious issue, with many people divided on whether Leviev's app is a good idea or not. While some see it as a positive step towards online safety, others are skeptical about Leviev's intentions and the app's potential effectiveness. The app's success will likely depend on its ability to provide genuine safety features and win the trust of users.
Key points
- The Tinder Swindler, Simon Leviev, plans to launch a dating app called Safe Love with safety features to protect users from romance scams.
- The proposal has sparked a mixed reaction online, with many people expressing skepticism and outrage.
- Leviev's history with the law and his past actions have raised concerns about his motives and the app's potential effectiveness.
