<p class="title rtejustify">Facebook users can soon build a dating profile their friends won’t be able to see. The opt-in feature will match users with people they aren’t already friends with. It will link to events and groups on the larger platform, allowing users with dating profiles to connect via shared interests or commonly attended events.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The dating feature uses only a first name and is only visible to those using the service, and not to all Facebook friends. The feature does not show up in the news feed either.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">However, users are concerned over data safety and the implications of putting even more information in the hands of a platform now under a shadow. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Facebook claims the same privacy protections that apply to Facebook will apply to its dating feature... which is not saying much. There are also doubts about how much of the information we have shared on Facebook potential dating matches will see. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">However, Indians have already explored the match-making possibilities of Facebook. Recently, a Kerala woman’s matrimony post, asking for grooms for herself (with the attractive ‘caste no bar’, ‘no demands’ clauses) went viral. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Jyothi KG’s post, using the hashtag #FacebookMatrimony, received more than 6,000 shares and 10,000 likes, as well as an overflowing comments section. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">In August last year, Ranjish Manjeri, a photographer from Manjeri in Kerala, put out a Facebook post seeking a bride for himself.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">A few weeks later, he married Sarigama. Posting photographs from his wedding, the groom thanked Mark Zuckerberg. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Hit by data leak allegations and bad press, Facebook made the announcement about the dating app at a developer conference in San Jose, California, on Wednesday. </p>.<h4 class="rtejustify">Other features in the pipeline</h4>.<p class="rtejustify">An option to clear history, which will allow users to delete information that lets third-party apps and websites identify their accounts.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">WhatsApp to get group video-calling feature.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Global launch of Facebook’s virtual reality headset Oculus Go.</p>.<h4 class="rtejustify">Snarky comeback by Match</h4>.<p class="rtejustify">Shares of online dating company Match, which owns Tinder and OkCupid, suffered the biggest one-day drop in the company’s history after Facebook announced its foray into the business. </p>.<p class="rtejustify">However, Match had a snarky comeback. Its Chief Executive Officer, Mandy Ginsberg, said, “We’re flattered that Facebook is coming into our space — and sees the global opportunity that we do. We are surprised at the timing given the amount of personal and sensitive data that comes with this territory.” </p>.<p class="rtejustify">We all get the reference! </p>
<p class="title rtejustify">Facebook users can soon build a dating profile their friends won’t be able to see. The opt-in feature will match users with people they aren’t already friends with. It will link to events and groups on the larger platform, allowing users with dating profiles to connect via shared interests or commonly attended events.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The dating feature uses only a first name and is only visible to those using the service, and not to all Facebook friends. The feature does not show up in the news feed either.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">However, users are concerned over data safety and the implications of putting even more information in the hands of a platform now under a shadow. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Facebook claims the same privacy protections that apply to Facebook will apply to its dating feature... which is not saying much. There are also doubts about how much of the information we have shared on Facebook potential dating matches will see. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">However, Indians have already explored the match-making possibilities of Facebook. Recently, a Kerala woman’s matrimony post, asking for grooms for herself (with the attractive ‘caste no bar’, ‘no demands’ clauses) went viral. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Jyothi KG’s post, using the hashtag #FacebookMatrimony, received more than 6,000 shares and 10,000 likes, as well as an overflowing comments section. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">In August last year, Ranjish Manjeri, a photographer from Manjeri in Kerala, put out a Facebook post seeking a bride for himself.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">A few weeks later, he married Sarigama. Posting photographs from his wedding, the groom thanked Mark Zuckerberg. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Hit by data leak allegations and bad press, Facebook made the announcement about the dating app at a developer conference in San Jose, California, on Wednesday. </p>.<h4 class="rtejustify">Other features in the pipeline</h4>.<p class="rtejustify">An option to clear history, which will allow users to delete information that lets third-party apps and websites identify their accounts.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">WhatsApp to get group video-calling feature.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Global launch of Facebook’s virtual reality headset Oculus Go.</p>.<h4 class="rtejustify">Snarky comeback by Match</h4>.<p class="rtejustify">Shares of online dating company Match, which owns Tinder and OkCupid, suffered the biggest one-day drop in the company’s history after Facebook announced its foray into the business. </p>.<p class="rtejustify">However, Match had a snarky comeback. Its Chief Executive Officer, Mandy Ginsberg, said, “We’re flattered that Facebook is coming into our space — and sees the global opportunity that we do. We are surprised at the timing given the amount of personal and sensitive data that comes with this territory.” </p>.<p class="rtejustify">We all get the reference! </p>