• Protect Your Personal Information
  Never share personal information, such as your social security number,ID number, home or work address, or details about your daily routine with people you don’t know. If you are a parent, limit the information that you share about your children on your profile and in early communications. Avoid sharing details such as your children’s names, where they go to school, or their ages or genders.
• Stay on the Platform
  Keep conversations on the blind-chat platform while you’re getting to know someone. Users with bad intentions often try to move the conversation to text, messaging apps, email, or phone right away.
• Be Wary of Long Distance and Overseas Relationships
  Watch out for scammers who claim to be from your country but stuck somewhere else, especially if they ask for financial help to return home. Be wary of anyone who will not meet in person or talk on a phone/video call—they may not be who they say they are. If someone is avoiding your questions or pushing for a serious relationship without meeting or getting to know you first – that’s a red flag.
• Report All Suspicious and Offensive Behavior
  You know when someone’s crossed the line and when they do, we want to know about it. Block and report anyone that violates our terms. Here are some examples of violations:

Meeting in Person

• Don’t Be In A Rush
  Take your time and get to know the other person before agreeing to meet or chat off blind-chat. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to screen for any red flags or personal dealbreakers. A phone or video call can be a useful screening tool before meeting.
• Meet in Public and Stay in Public
  Meet for the first few times in a populated, public place – never at your home, your date’s home, or any other private location. If your date pressures you to go to a private location, end the date.
• Tell Friends and Family About Your Plans
  Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including when and where you’re going. Have your cell phone charged and with you at all times.
• Be in Control of Your Transportation
  We want you to be in control of how you get to and from your date so that you can leave whenever you want. If you’re driving yourself, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan such as a ride-share app or a friend to pick you up.
• Know Your Limits
  Be aware of the effects of drugs or alcohol on you specifically – they can impair your judgment and your alertness. If your date tries to pressure you to use drugs or drink more than you’re comfortable with, hold your ground and end the date.
• Don’t Leave Drinks or Personal Items Unattended
  Know where your drink comes from and know where it is at all times – only accept drinks poured or served directly from the bartender or server. Many substances that are slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assault are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Also, keep your phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information on you at all times.
• If You Feel Uncomfortable, Leave
  It’s okay to end the date early if you’re feeling uncomfortable. In fact, it’s encouraged. And if your instincts are telling you something is off or you feel unsafe, ask the bartender or server for help.
• LGBTQ+ Travel
  Be careful while traveling. We recognize and believe in the importance of being inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations, but the reality is this: nowhere in the world is without potential risk, and some countries have specific laws that target LGBTQ+ people. Check out the laws around you when you travel to a new place and research what types of legal protection, if any, are available to you based on sexual orientation. In the event that you’re in unsafe territory, we suggest disabling your OkCupid account or going Incognito. It’s important to exercise extra caution if you choose to connect with new people in these countries – as some law enforcement have been known to use dating apps as tools for potential entrapment. Some countries have also recently introduced laws that criminalize communications between individuals on same-sex dating applications or websites and even aggravate penalties if that communication leads to sexual encounters.

Resources for Help, Support, or Advice

Even if you follow these tips, no method of risk reduction is perfect. If you have a negative experience, please know that it is not your fault and help is available. Report any incidents and consider reaching out to one of the resources below. If you feel you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911 (U.S. or Canada) or your local law enforcement agency.

RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | online.rainn.org | www.rainn.org

Planned Parenthood
1-800-230-7526 | www.plannedparenthood.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 | www.thehotline.org

National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 | www.humantraffickinghotline.org

National Sexual Violence Resource Center
1-877-739-3895 | www.nsvrc.org

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) | www.cybertipline.com

Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
1-844-878-2274 | www.cybercivilrights.org

VictimConnect – Crime Victim Resource Center
1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) | www.victimconnect.org

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
www.ic3.gov

LGBT National Help Center
1-888-843-4564 | www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org

Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (CA) | www.translifeline.org