Daily Thetha

► Platform: 10.30am SABC1

► Info: Is it safe to use dating apps in South Africa? Is it working? This week on the daily current affairs talk show, the topic of dating apps is explored on Daily Thetha. They have become a popular way for couples to meet, but in the current climate of high crime in South Africa is it safe to use dating apps? Is there a viable working online dating system that enables people to find and introduce themselves to potential connections over the internet without endangering themselves? The purpose of online dating apps is to meet the love of your life or possibly develop personal, romantic, or sexual relationships. How safe are these apps and who monitors the profiles? The danger lies with scammers and potential swindles that have resulted in shows like the Tinder Swindler on Netflix, which gained popularity by highlighting the calibre of men swindling women using dating apps like Tinder. Simon Leviev, real name Shimon Hayut, lives a double life where he meets women online and convinces them that he’s a millionaire, sets them on a whirlwind romance and, once they are hooked, starts asking them for money. After getting into serious debt, one of the women begins to investigate her boyfriend Simon, only to find out he’s swindled other women. She and two others set out to expose him for his deception. With all deception that happens around meeting new people on social dating media apps, will the owners of these platforms eventually put in stringent measures in control for those who register on their apps? Only time will tell. Proving that online dating will forever remain on shaky ground.