Swiped Left on Safety: Essential Insights into Dating Apps and Background Checks

PHOENIX — A warning has emerged regarding the risks associated with online dating platforms. Recent research indicates that nearly one-third of individuals who meet in person from dating apps experience some form of violence. This statistic looms large in the narrative of 18-year-old Helen Simmons, who found herself in a dangerous situation shortly after relocating to Phoenix in 2022.

Meeting 22-year-old Matthew Jones on Tinder, Simmons described their initial encounter as manipulative. “There was no relationship,” she stated from Estrella Jail, where she is currently incarcerated. Simmons initially agreed to visit Jones’s apartment; however, she claimed that he soon denied her the freedom to leave.

During the subsequent two weeks, Simmons reported emotional and physical abuse, culminating in a forced participation in a violent jewelry store robbery. Both were arrested, despite her assertions of being coerced. “He had enough control over me to make me do something like that,” she expressed.

Investigations revealed that Jones had a troubling history of violence against women, with prior convictions related to unlawful imprisonment and aggravated assault. He had been released from prison just weeks before meeting Simmons.

Tinder’s guidelines explicitly prohibit felons from creating accounts, yet reports indicate that the app does not conduct background checks. A representative confirmed that they lacked records on either Simmons or Jones, leaving questions unanswered regarding user screening processes.

Challenges with implementing effective background checks remain prevalent across dating platforms. Kathryn Kosmides, CEO of Garbo, highlighted the issue, describing how easily individuals can create accounts using minimal personal information. During her partnership with Tinder, she recognized a concerning trend: individuals exploiting these apps to target potential victims.

In a study conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology, nearly a third of respondents reported experiencing violence after meeting online. Similarly, a 2019 ProPublica report found that 31% of women surveyed had experienced sexual assault or rape by someone they met through an online dating platform.

Despite these alarming statistics, Tinder’s parent company, Match Group, claims to have implemented new measures with a partner, BrightCheck, for background checks in the U.S. They emphasize that technology is also utilized to identify harmful profiles. Still, experts warn that a clean record does not guarantee safety during interactions.

“Just because someone doesn’t have a record doesn’t mean they’re safe,” Kosmides cautioned, underscoring the importance of personal safety measures while using dating apps. She advises individuals to maintain prudent boundaries and avoid disclosing personal information too soon.

Simmons, reflecting on her ordeal, believes there is potential danger for all users. “They can pretend to be somebody or not,” she noted. “I hope that people can just be more careful.” Her story has been documented in the 12News I-Team series titled “He Made Me Do It,” part of an ongoing investigation into violence linked to dating apps. The I-Team is currently collecting testimonials through a Dating App Safety Survey to shed light on these troubling incidents.