After a long wait, Facebook Dating has finally become available in Europe. The feature’s launch date in Europe was significantly delayed after the Irish Data Protection Commission raised concerns over its privacy.
Facebook Dating Passes the DPC’s Inspection
Facebook announced Dating’s long-awaited European launch in a post on the About Facebook blog. The feature was supposed to be released in Europe on Valentine’s Day, 2020. However, it didn’t work out that way after the DPC got involved.
If you haven’t heard, Facebook Dating is the platform’s own take on a matchmaking site. It lets you create a Dating profile that’s separate from your regular Facebook account, and from there, you can start finding potential dates.
Facebook Dating has been available in the US since September of 2019, but only now has it come to Europe. The DPC put a roadblock in front of Facebook Dating’s release date, citing that the platform didn’t provide enough information as to how exactly the feature will work. Facebook also didn’t give the DPC enough time to review Dating before its launch.
So, what made the DPC change its mind about Facebook Dating? Graham Doyle, the DPC’s deputy commissioner, outlined his findings in a statement to CNN, saying:
Facebook has provided detailed clarifications on the processing of personal data in the context of the Dating feature. Facebook has also provided details of changes that they have made to the product to take account of the issues raised by the DPC.
Doyle also noted that the DPC will “continue to monitor the product as it launches across the EU this week.” As Doyle said, Facebook Dating had to make some changes in regards to privacy, as detailed in a separate About Facebook blog post.
To accommodate the DPC, Facebook states that it won’t use your religious beliefs or sexual orientation to personalize ads. The platform also emphasizes that Dating is a “dedicated, opt-in space” that comes with built-in safety tips, as well as the option to report or block users.
Now, Europeans can enjoy using all that Facebook Dating has to offer. This includes the ability to try out Dating’s Secret Crush feature, get matched based on your interests, and even go on virtual dates.
Finding a Match on Facebook Dating
As it stands, the list of available dating services just seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Plenty of Fish already provide a ton of options for users looking for love. And now that Facebook has expanded its Dating feature to Europe, it can tighten its grip on the online dating industry.