| Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
Key Highlights
- Many dating apps fail to protect user data, putting personal information at risk
- Buggy updates and confusing interfaces make these apps frustrating to use
- These platforms often overlook the unique needs of diverse communities.
Some dating apps, plagued by security issues, privacy concerns, and poor user interfaces, can do more harm than good, leaving users frustrated, vulnerable, and disillusioned.
Recently, U.S. Vice President JD Vance labeled dating apps as “destructive,” sparking a broader conversation about their impact on modern relationships.
Below, we explore five dating apps that have been flagged for their destructive tendencies.
1. Feeld
Feeld, marketed as a platform for open-minded individuals seeking non-traditional relationships, has faced significant backlash due to security and usability issues.
A December 2023 update introduced persistent bugs that disrupted user experience, making navigation clunky and unreliable.
More alarmingly, reports surfaced about location data vulnerabilities that could expose users’ precise whereabouts, a serious concern for diaspora communities who value discretion due to cultural stigmas around online dating.
2. Grindr
Grindr, a popular app among gay, bi, and queer men, has been repeatedly criticized for its lax privacy practices.
In 2025, a Mozilla report highlighted Grindr as one of the worst offenders among dating apps for collecting and sharing sensitive user data, including sexual orientation and location, without clear user consent.
For African diaspora communities in Canada and the UK, where cultural conservatism can make queer identities a sensitive topic, such breaches are particularly risky.
Additionally, the app’s interface has been called outdated, with clunky navigation and frequent crashes reported by users on X.
3. EliteSingles
EliteSingles targets professionals seeking serious relationships, but its privacy practices have raised concerns.
The app, owned by Spark Networks, explicitly collects sensitive information like political affiliations and sexual experiences, as noted in a 2024 Washington Post report.
This is particularly troubling for African diaspora users in Canada and the UK, who may fear data misuse in professional or community settings.
Additionally, EliteSingles’ interface is often described as outdated, with a steep learning curve for new users. The app’s premium-heavy model, with high subscription costs, also alienates users who feel misled by limited free features, a sentiment echoed in user reviews on X.
4. Raw
Raw, a newer dating app launched to “rewrite the rules of dating,” stumbled in 2025 when Malwarebytes reported that it exposed sensitive user data to anyone who requested it.
This breach included personal details like photos and relationship preferences, making it a prime target for identity theft—a significant risk for diaspora communities wary of cybercrime.
The app’s interface, while sleek, lacks intuitive navigation, with users reporting frequent glitches and slow response times. For Africans in Canada and the UK, where online security is critical due to increasing cyber threats, Raw’s failures are a major red flag.
5. Muzz
Muzz, a dating app catering to Muslim singles, markets itself as privacy-focused, allowing users to use aliases and blur photos.
However, its privacy practices have been questioned, with a 2025 Global Dating Insights report noting that Muzz, like other apps, collects and shares user data without full transparency.
For African Muslim diaspora communities in Canada and the UK, where cultural and religious sensitivities around dating are high, this lack of clarity is concerning.
The app’s interface, while functional, is often criticized for slow updates and limited search filters, making it hard for users to find compatible matches efficiently.
The Broader Impact: Why These Dating Apps Are Destructive
The destructive nature of these dating apps lies in their failure to prioritize user safety, privacy, and experience. For the African diaspora in Canada and the UK, these issues are magnified by cultural and social factors.
Privacy breaches can lead to real-world consequences, such as community stigma or professional repercussions, particularly for those navigating conservative cultural norms.
Poor interfaces exacerbate the frustration of finding meaningful connections, while security flaws expose users to risks like identity theft and harassment.
JD Vance’s critique, voiced in a May 2025 New York Times interview, resonates here: dating apps can disrupt authentic human connection by prioritizing profit over safety and usability.
Destructive Dating Apps Alternatives and Solutions
The African diaspora in Canada and the UK deserves better. Instead of relying on these flawed apps, consider community-driven platforms or in-person events tailored to cultural needs, such as Afro-Caribbean mixers in Toronto or African cultural festivals in London.
Dating apps like Archer, with its Selfie-Verify feature, offer stronger security for queer users, while community-focused platforms like BlackPeopleMeet prioritize cultural compatibility.
For safer online dating, experts recommend using strong, unique passwords and limiting shared personal information, as suggested by Privacy Bee.
Conclusion
Dating apps should empower users to find love, not expose them to risks or frustration. As JD Vance’s comments highlight, these apps can erode the authenticity of human connection, a sentiment echoed by diaspora users seeking meaningful relationships.
By prioritizing safety, cultural sensitivity, and user-friendly design, the dating industry can better serve communities in Canada, the UK, and beyond.
Until then, Africans in the diaspora should approach these apps with caution, seeking alternatives that respect their privacy and values.
