In February, Facebook postponed the launch of its flirting platform in Europe after an inspection by data protectionists. Only now does it start – in line with the corona pandemic, even with video dates.

After a month-long delay, Facebook is now launching its dating function in Europe. Product manager Kate Orseth said that the product was launched in 32 European countries on Thursday (October 22nd), which has taken its time to get everything right.

In February, Facebook postponed the start of the flirt platform indefinitely due to data protection concerns.

Adult users can create a separate profile on Facebook Dating. Facebook then suggests potential partners – based on the information provided by the users, but also on the platform’s knowledge of their interests and activities.

No Date with Friends – with one Exception

Facebook friends are exempt from this – unless you mark someone of them as a “secret crush” in your dating profile. You can put up to nine people on this list. The users only find out about this if there is mutual agreement. In order to make the flirt function safe, no photos or videos can be sent during conversations between users.

Everyone can block or report another user, they say. At the same time, Facebook gives users the opportunity to incorporate content from the company’s own photo platform, Instagram. In line with the corona crisis, Facebook offers meetings via video conference.

Attempted Fraud should be Punished

Orseth said that data on activity in the dating sector could also be used by Facebook to personalize the advertisements elsewhere on the online network’s platform.

The users are expressly asked to log in with their real identities and Facebook assures that fraud attempts should be consistently prevented. Every user complaint will be followed up. The online network is also proactively checking profile pictures, for example, to ensure that there are no nude photos there.