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The dark side of Artificial Intelligence – Risks arising in dating applications

Fletcher, Rachel ; Tzani, Calli ; Ioannou, Maria (2024) — Assessment and Development Matters

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DOI: 10.53841/bpsadm.2024.16.1.17 (opens in a new tab)

Type:   Journal Article
Country:   United Kingdom
Tags:   AI-Enabled Fraud, Catfishing, Deepfakes, Facial Recognition, Fraudulent Dating Apps, Online Dating, Online Dating Platforms, Romance Scams, Sextortion, Victim Experience
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Synopsis

            
This is a narrative source review. The authors conducted general internet searches using terms concerning AI, dating applications, social media, romance fraud, and sextortion, and explored empirical literature. Findings synthesize concerns raised across internet and empirical sources; no original participant data collection, systematic search protocol, or primary analysis is reported. AI-driven automated bots in dating applications can impersonate genuine conversational partners to obtain personal information, induce malicious-link clicks, or solicit financial details. Catfishing using fake profiles and imagery is described as a common precursor to romance fraud and sextortion. The article relies on general internet searches alongside empirical literature and does not report a systematic review protocol, inclusion criteria, search dates, or appraisal of source quality.

          

        
                  

            
Identified Gaps

            
The article identifies a lack of empirical research on harmful AI uses in dating and social-media contexts. Specific gaps concern psychological effects and support for deepfake targets, effective deepfake detection and distribution prevention, the contribution of facial recognition to harassment and stalking, and the current prevalence and nature of fraudulent dating applications. Existing romance-fraud advice based on reverse-image searches may also be outdated where perpetrators use original deepfake content.

          

        
                  

            
Methods

            
This is a narrative source review. The authors conducted general internet searches using terms concerning AI, dating applications, social media, romance fraud, and sextortion, and explored empirical literature. Findings synthesize concerns raised across internet and empirical sources; no original participant data collection, systematic search protocol, or primary analysis is reported.

          

        
                  

            
Limitations

            
The article relies on general internet searches alongside empirical literature and does not report a systematic review protocol, inclusion criteria, search dates, or appraisal of source quality. Several claims are framed as concerns, anecdotal evidence, or speculation about emerging risks rather than direct evidence of prevalence or causal impact. Its broad scope combines dating-app fraud with sextortion, child sexual abuse material, and cyberstalking.

          

        
                  

            
Future Work

            
Research should examine the psychological consequences of deepfake victimization and available emotional support; develop and evaluate detection and prevention strategies for deepfake material; investigate whether facial recognition contributes to stalking and harassment; update evidence on the prevalence and operation of fraudulent dating apps; and identify practical solutions to block their distribution. Public education should also be developed so users can recognize AI-enabled criminal methods and protect privacy.

          

              

    
    

        
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