Online Personals Watch: News on the Online Dating Industry and Business

How Advances in Technology and Science Could Impact the Dating and Matchmaking Industry

FORBES - Aug 5 - The art and science of matchmaking is a billion-dollar industry. Yet, many pitfalls exist such as safety, security and ineffective matching methods. These issues aren't as prevalent with professional matchmakers, however, not every singleton can afford to pay $15K and $150K for a high-end matchmaking service. This exposes a huge opening in the industry for dating apps and professional matchmakers to merge. How realistic is this, and what kind of technology or science can help achieve this idealistic goal?

Blockchain Technology
Companies such as Hicky and Viola have both implemented blockchain to increase transparency by requiring users to validate their identity via face and voice recognition, which is then fully encrypted and stored into the blockchain.

Artificial Intelligence
AI can help gather in-app user behavior data for machine learning algorithms to curate more relevant matches based on its users' core values, beliefs and personality traits. Coffee Meets Bagel, Hinge, Tinder and Badoo all now use AI .

Augmented Reality
AR can be described as a visual or audio overlay of digital life on real life, distinct from the purely digital landscape of virtual reality (VR).

DNA Matchmaking
DNA Romance is a dating app that matches partners based on the information hidden in their DNA to forecast romantic chemistry. Dr. Tim Sexton built the app on the basis that partners with opposite immune system genes (MHC genes) have much higher romantic chemistry.

by Taylor Wade
See full article at Forbes

Cryptocurrency and Dating

AMB CRYPTO - Apr 13 - As both dating and the cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly popular, it is only possible for these two to leverage each other to reach a wider audience. Cryptocurrencies provide an anonymous form of payment for users looking for a more confidential online dating experience. Dating apps can also reward users for good behavior (e.g., user engagement, swiping, and commenting) by issuing tokens which can be used to make in-app purchases or unlock upgrades. One such platform is Hicky. Hicky uses blockchain tech to ensure data flow and end-to-end encryption. To top that, the user verification process and storage of user data is also done using the secure decentralized tech. Cryptocurrency payments, once executed, are not reversible. Hence, the concept of chargebacks scams is highly unlikely. Dating services are able to receive push payments (user sends cryptocurrency to an address provided by the website) as opposed to pulling payments on a credit card and having to store sensitive information that then becomes a target for hacking.

by Chayanika Deka
See full article at AMB Crypto

See the top news on Hicky

Ethereum-Based Dating App Hicky Raises $2M, ICO To End On March 26

THE MERKLE - Mar 21 - Hicky, a Tinder-like mobile app launched on top of the Ethereum blockchain, has been conducting an ICO to distribute its token HKY, which is compatible with the Ethereum network's native cryptocurrency Ether. ~ 24.1M HKYs have been raised, surpassing its soft cap. Given that 1 Ether = 7,500 HKYs, the blockchain project has already secured ~$2M in funding. Hicky is advised by former executives of Tinder. Hermione Way, the former Head of European Communications for Tinder, has officially joined the Hicky team to oversee its growth and branding in the long-term. Hicky is similar to Tinder, wherein sensitive personal and financial information of users on the app are not shared or monetized. The ICO is still ongoing, and it is expected to end on March 26.

See full article at The Merkle

See all posts on Hicky

Summarized by the IDEA team

Blockchain Technology And The Dating Industry

NASDAQ - Mar 14 - Now, with the blockchain technology, the dating game has changed. The growth could accelerate because the technology is offering to eliminate the key challenges such as identity verification. Blockchain technology provides a foolproof mechanism for verifying every user's account. Another challenge is personal data safety. Dating sites have always been a top target for hackers. With blockchain technology, online dating firms and users have a guarantee of top-level personal data safety. Hicky, for example, is an Ethereum-based platform that allows user verification through face scanning and voice identification while ensuring data safety by storing it in an immutable public ledger. Viola.AI, another dating platform driven by artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain technology, aims to increase transparency in online dating through a "real ID" verification system. The system applies face recognition technology to identify the authenticity of photos used in online dating accounts. Once the information is confirmed, it is stored in a decentralized public ledger where it cannot be stolen by hackers.

by Reuben Jackson
See full article at Nasdaq

See all posts on Hicky
See all posts on Viola.ai

Summarized by the IDEA team

Hicky Launches Blockchain Driven Dating App; ICO Still Running

FINSMES - Mar 14 - Hicky, the German startup that is advancing a dating platform that leverages blockchain technology, has reached the soft cap of its token sale. The funds will be used to launch its DApp in english, making it available to users in the European market before expanding to further countries. The Alpha release will include encrypted messaging, encrypted data storage and identity verification via face scan technology.

See full article at Finsmes

See all posts on Hicky

Summarized by the IDEA team

Blockchain Tech Is Shaking Up Online Dating

INFLUENCIVE - Mar 1 - Blockchain will add trust and transparency to the dating world. Rising blockchain startup Hicky plans to utilize blockchain technology to establish a level of trust lacking in today's online dating landscape. Users new to Hicky will be required to undergo a comprehensive verification process involving FaceScan technology and VoiceVerify. The app will reward users for good behavior but also punish them for sending inappropriate messages or being a no-show. All interactions within the Hicky network require Hicky Token (HKY); the cryptocurrency native to the platform. The Hicky public sale began on Valentines Day and is scheduled to continue until March 16th, or until 36K ETH is raised. The HKY token has a max supply of 481,500,000. 1 ETH will earn you 7,500 HKY through the ongoing token sale.

by David Wither
See full article at Influencive

See all posts on Hicky

Summarized by the IDEA team

Love Is 'No Battlefield' With The Blockchain

FORBES - Feb 19 - Dating services have now become a $3B market. A study by Pew Research Center has shown that use of dating apps by Americans (18-24) tripled in 2016 vs in 2013. Usage by "Baby boomers" aged 55 to 64 doubled within the same time span. Today, emerging technologies like blockchain are now figuring out ways into the industry as well. For example, networking and connection platform MatchPool is a pioneering dating-meets-blockchain application. And, up-and-coming services like Hicky and Ponder are also seeking to improve upon the current online dating experience. Manshu Agarwal, Ponder's CEO and co-founder, said: "The blockchain has been called the Internet of Value, providing new ways to reward people for their time and effort." Ponder incentivizes it's users to create successful matches. Blockchain can improve security. The technology provides means to secure data and transactions. Blockchain's transparency could also help encourage good behavior among users.

by Roger Aitken
See full article at Forbes

See all posts on Matchpool
See all posts on Hicky

Summarized by the IDEA team

Blockchain Dating App Hicky Launches ICO

PRESS RELEASE - Feb 14 - Having raised ~2M, hicky.io – blockchain based dating service, is launching an ICO on the Valentine's day. With Hicky, all users are "real" as they require a form of biometric verification using voice recognition and face scan technology. This data is then encrypted and stored using in a decentralised database. This means that the uploaded information can only be accessed and shared by the user. Hicky has strong partners including NAGA Group AG, a German stock market listed company as well as a former Tinder executive in the advisory board. They will be releasing the first version of the app in the coming weeks.

See full article at News BTC

This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.

Summarized by the IDEA team