Tinder releases yet another feature to stop inappropriate messages

The dating app will send in-app warnings to users who violate Community Guidelines.
By Anna Iovine  on 
Tinder's new in-app warning in front of pink and orange gradient background.
Tinder introduces new warnings to curb bad behavior on the app. Credit: Tinder

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.

Mashable After Dark
Want more sex and dating stories in your inbox?
Sign up for Mashable's new weekly After Dark newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
message from tinder that says "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."
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.

Topics Tinder

anna iovine, a white woman with curly chin-length brown hair, smiles at the camera
Anna Iovine
Associate Editor, Features

Anna Iovine is associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on X @annaroseiovine.


Recommended For You
Hinge adds limit on unanswered messages
your turn limits on hinge

Jimmy Kimmel gleefully responds to yet another angry Trump post about him
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage. Next to him is a screenshot of a post from Donald Trump on Truth Social.

WhatsApp 'View Once' messages are far more permanent than you realize
WhatsApp app

Tinder's top dating trends and predictions for 2025
A person is holding a mobile phone with the Tinder dating app logo on its screen


More in Life
How to watch Australia vs. India 2nd Test online for free
Virat Kohli of India celebrates scoring a century

How to watch New Zealand vs. England 2nd Test online for free
England's Brydon Carse celebrates

How to watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix online for free
Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the Oracle Red Bull Racing

Amazon is giving two free Kindle books to Prime members in December
three book covers on a dark blue and purple background

How to watch Packers vs. Lions online for free
By Trisha Easto
Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6, 2024
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6
a phone displaying Wordle

At 2 a.m., an unexpected event led to a surprise planet discovery
A NASA conception of what the exoplanet Kepler-51e might look like.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 6
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for December 6, 2024
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!