Before you jump on the Sparked bandwagon, take these privacy concerns into consideration
Facebook is piloting a new video speed dating service, Sparked, that will connect people for four minute virtual “dates.” They’re presenting it as a kinder approach to online dating, with no swipes or “BS.” Participants agree to have their private profile shared with compatible people and everyone has to write a little blurb about how they’re a “kind” dater when they sign up.
At first glance, Facebook as a dating site kind of makes sense. Plus, during the Covid-19 pandemic, video speed dating makes even more sense. But before you jump on the Sparked bandwagon, there are a few important privacy concerns you might want to take into consideration.
“Ultimately, Facebook is about advertising,” Christopher Budd, Avast Senior Global Threat Communications Manager, says. “I can’t find any information indicating that they’re going to segregate data they gather through Sparked from all the other data they’re gathering. So if you’re already concerned about all of the stuff that Facebook is gathering about you, this is a whole other area they can take and mash together with their profiling.”
In other words, Facebook is probably going to use Sparked the same way they use all of their products: To gather more and more data about you in order to sell you ads. “If you’re considering using it, another question to ask yourself is ‘Am I okay with that?’” Budd says.
Further reading: facebook dating service issues avast
