Is technology putting your relationships at risk?

The rise of online dating has created a fertile ground for manipulation, and in today’s digital world it’s easy to trust someone you’ve never met in person, sharing personal details or intimate images before you truly understand who they are. In fact, our recent study reveals that 39% of people aged 25-34 have shared intimate images with someone they’ve never met in real life.

Unfortunately, this openness is often exploited. Whether it’s through intimate image abuse, stalkerware or deepfakes, online daters are increasingly vulnerable to dangers that weren’t as common just a few years ago. With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of the top-three threats to watch out for.

1. Private photos, public nightmares: the growing threat of image abuse

Intimate image abuse (IIA), or “revenge porn” is a harmful form of digital abuse. As sharing intimate images becomes more normalized, many feel secure when trusting partners or online matches with personal photos. In our “Naked Truth” survey of 9000 people, nearly half reported experiencing or knowing someone who’d been affected by intimate image abuse. The issue is particularly severe among younger generations, with 69% of 16-24-year-olds admitting that they’ve been exposed to it. Despite the risks, victim-blaming remains common, with 50% of respondents believing that those who share intimate images are responsible if they’re leaked – reflecting a widespread misunderstanding of consent and privacy.

How to protect yourself:

• Think twice before sharing: сonsider the potential consequences of sharing private images and gauge the level of trust with the recipient.
• Stay informed: many social media platforms have systems in place to detect and remove non-consensual intimate images. Learn how to report such content.
• Manage your passwords wisely: always use a reliable password manager like Kaspersky Password Manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms, as this can make you more vulnerable to breaches.

2. When your apps spy on you: the threat of stalkerware

Stalkerware is software that secretly tracks a person’s location, messages, and daily activities, often disguised as anti-theft or parental-control tools but used for malicious purposes. In 2023, over 31,000 cases of stalkerware were identified globally — a 6% rise from the previous year. Countries most affected include Germany, France, and the UK. Many victims are unaware they’re being monitored due to the hidden nature of these apps. Beyond stalkerware, tools like GPS tracking and social media are also being misused, with 34% of people admitting to checking their date’s profiles as “due diligence”.

How to protect yourself:

• Be vigilant: look for signs of stalkerware on your device, such as unusual battery drain, apps you don’t recognize, or sudden permission changes.
• Avoid tampering with stalkerware: if you believe stalkerware is on your device, don’t attempt to erase or disable it on your own. This could tip off the perpetrator or delete important evidence that could be used in legal action. Instead, contact a local support organization or consult the Coalition Against Stalkerware for expert help.
• Update your privacy settings: regularly review app permissions and adjust privacy settings to minimize the risk of being monitored.

3. Deepfake threats: when what you see isn’t real

Deepfakes use artificial intelligence (AI) to create hyper-realistic fake images, videos and even audio recordings. Once dismissed as low-quality, easy-to-spot tricks, deepfakes have now evolved to become incredibly convincing. Open-source tools have made it easy for anyone with basic tech skills to create deepfakes, making this technology a growing concern in online relationships.

While celebrity deepfakes were the first to capture the public’s attention, ordinary individuals are now becoming victims of this technology. In romantic contexts, deepfakes can be used to create fake compromising images or videos. These materials are then used for blackmail, with perpetrators threatening to release the content unless their demands are met.

How to protect yourself:

• Know the warning signs: be cautious if someone makes threats involving compromising media. They could be using deepfake technology.
• Report deepfakes: many platforms now use AI detection tools to flag and remove deepfake content. If you’re targeted, report the content to the platform.
• Stay informed: awareness is key. Educate yourself about deepfake technology and its potential misuse in online dating.

Building a Safer Digital Space: A Call for Education

Education is key to reducing online dating risks. Consent in the digital world must be ongoing — not a one-time agreement. 30% of men believe receiving an intimate image means they own it, highlighting a serious issue around digital privacy. Targeted education for boys and men is crucial to address intimate image abuse, stalking, and harassment. As technology reshapes relationships, we must stay informed and vigilant to protect against growing threats like image abuse, stalkerware, and deepfakes.

By understanding these risks and taking steps to protect ourselves, and by installing a comprehensive security solution such as Kaspersky Premium, you can help protect your devices from threats like stalkerware and other malware.

For more details, read our report and safe dating guide and find our official contribution to the European Cybersecurity Month here.