A dating app in the crosscurrents of fraud, policy shifts, and digital dating culture
Four women describe how drug gangs groomed and sexually exploited them from early adolescence, with patterns of manipulation, coercion, and violence. They believe authorities failed to protect them, and a BBC documentary has brought renewed attention to the issue.
AI is increasingly used to polish profiles and sustain conversations in dating apps, but a sizable share of singles remains wary of AI as a substitute for human connection. A Match Group survey shows popularity of AI tools for profile-building and messaging, while concern over genuine human bonds persists.
Australia’s online safety regulator has found persistent gaps in detection and prevention of sexual-extortion and child sexual exploitation on major platforms. The latest transparency report shows rising complaints, gaps in proactive detection, and calls for stronger safeguards and preventive measures across services used by young people.
An ongoing operation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales has led to eight men being charged across Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh and Argyll and Bute. The charges involve rape of minors and facilitating sexual exploitation dating from 1985 to 1996. Prosecutions continue.
A Cornell student, Austin Franco, has faced scrutiny after an antisemitic remark shared on Handshake drew viral attention. Cornell has referred the incident to its Office of Civil Rights for investigation, while Franco maintains he remains enrolled. The remarks have sparked campus and public debate, with subsequent interviews revealing more context.
Russia's FSB has accused Telegram of failing to remove channels, chats and bots that it says Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups used to coordinate sabotage, terrorism and cyber-fraud inside Russia, and has placed founder Pavel Durov on an international wanted list; Telegram responded by posting an image of Durov making a rude gesture.
Bumble has announced changes allowing either user to send the first message and extending the reply window to 72 hours, as part of a broader move by dating apps to combat user fatigue and lift engagement.
A 35-year-old man from Ruthin, Denbighshire, has been jailed for three years and two months for defrauding four victims after posing as a wealthy businessman with hospitalisation deception. Victims funded investments, private treatment and living costs, with losses totaling around £68,000. The court heard the deception was sustained from July 2020 to October 2021.
A series of updates on Scotland’s justice system include expanded GPS monitoring for high-risk suspects, a new safety fund for women and girls, and calls for tighter bail conditions. Authorities report rising charges and delays, while victims and advocates press for stronger protections and faster prosecution.