Dating

Google is banning ‘sugar daddy’ dating apps

Starting September 1

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Dating apps are a dime a dozen nowadays. Regular daters have the more popular apps available including Tinder and Bumble. Niche daters also have their own set of apps for their own preferences. Did you know that there’s a dating app for farmers, for example? Apparently, despite the wide variety of apps, Google is less than thrilled over a very specific category of the market: sugar-daddy dating apps.

First reported by Android Police, Google is issuing new policies to cover the strange niche. And yes, they do exist. As the name implies, these dating apps are specifically made for daters looking for their own sugar daddy or sugar mommy (or vice versa).

In dating parlance, sugar daddy and mommies refer to rich daters who spoil their partners using their wealth in return for physical affection. The relationship type shouldn’t be an issue in itself. (“Different folks, different strokes,” as the saying goes.) However, Google certainly has issues with these apps.

According to the new policy, there will be “new restrictions on sexual content, specifically prohibiting compensated sexual relationships (i.e., sugar dating).” The policy will go into effect starting September 1.

Google has always been moderately tough on sexual content. Though looking up “sex” on the Play Store elicits a swath of tools and apps, the online catalog never outrightly includes any sexual content. Google potentially dislikes the “compensated” part of sugar-daddy dating apps, which can link it to a form of prostitution.

That said, Google seems to be all-in on less transactional dating apps like Tinder. Instead of propagating relationships through transactions, apps like Tinder do promote finding a true partner.

SEE ALSO: How to quench your thirst for dating in the time of social distancing

Dating

Hotel Sogo launches ‘AI’ concept rooms

‘The future of hotels’

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Hotel Sogo AI

Popular short-stay accommodation Hotel Sogo has revealed its AI-tech concept rooms, showing guests the future of its hotel rooms.

In a video posted by Hotel Sogo on YouTube, the company showcased new services powered by AI technology.

Among them are a self-service kiosk which has a virtual assistant to speed up the check-in process. This kiosk allows guests to choose their room, length of stay, and check-in and check-out times.

Once the transaction has been settled, automated robots will guide the guests to their rooms, instead of porters. These machines are somewhat similar to Dunkin’s robot servers called Number 1 launched a few years back.

The rooms have also replaced keycard slots with scanners. Guests only have to scan the unique QR code provided to them to be able to enter and enjoy their stay.

Inside, the room supports a voice control system, so visitors can turn on the air-conditioning unit, television, and more. Furthermore, there is a wireless charging pod on one of the side tables.

To heighten the ambience, a ceiling projector is included to flash visual effects. To top it all off, even the bathroom has an automated body dryer with silver ion antibacterial treatment.

Hotel Sogo has not yet announced which branches will have such rooms, but it is definitely something couples, families, and groups of friends will look forward to soon.

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Apps

Bumble introduces AI-powered feature to combat catfishers

The Deception Detector

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Bumble AI

Even dating apps have been utilizing AI’s capabilities too. Bumble has released a new AI-powered feature called Deception Detector to combat catfishers on the app.

As the name suggests, this feature uses AI to help identify spam, scam, and fake profiles so less users will be victimized. Within the first two months of the Deception Detector’s rollout, reports for such accounts reduced by 45%.

According to research from Bumble, fake profiles and risk of scams are among the top concerns when online dating. Moreover, 46% of women surveyed expressed anxiety over the legitimacy of their online matches on apps.

Thankfully, the Deception Detector has a fast and reliable machine learning-based model to assess the authenticity of profiles. The feature has helped in blocking 95% of spam/scam profiles automatically. Dedicated human support are also on standby to keep the community safe.

This latest release is just part of Bumble’s latest innovations across its products, and aligned with the company’s history of combating misogyny, harassment, and toxicity.

Previously, Bumble introduced Private Detector which also uses AI to blur lewd nude images. Best Bees, an AI algorithm that provides higher a level of curation for members, was also recently released.

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Apps

Tinder now lets friends and family choose matches for you

It’s called the Matchmaker feature

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An essential part of the Tinder experience is getting your friends’ usually constructive critique of potential matches. If you’re someone who seeks a friend’s approval before swiping right, the dating service is making the experience official. Tinder users can now ask friends and family for matching suggestions.

Dubbed the Matchmaker, the feature will let a user’s close circle interact with their profiles in a meaningful way. Using the feature will generate a link which users can share with up to 15 different people. They don’t even need a Tinder profile to start recommending. Anyone, even those without Tinder, can participate in a Matchmaker session.

Once created, a session will last 24 hours. Participating matchmakers will go through a series of profiles for the user. As always, they can swipe right on profiles that they think will match well with their friend. After the 24 hours, the original user can review who their friends recommended to them. Recommended profiles will show up with a label. Notably, rejected profiles will still show but without any sort of mark.

To be clear, the Matchmaker feature will not replace the original user. No matter how many profiles a user’s friends recommend, only the user themselves have the final say on whether they swipe right or engage in conversation with the recommended profile.

At its best, the new feature gives users an additional filter when selecting a potential match on the platform. At its quirkiest, it allows family members to vet matches for their single loved one. And, at its worst, it’s still a bit of fun to come up with funny matches for a friend.

The Matchmaker feature is available now in 15 countries around the world.

SEE ALSO: Tinder rolls out a $500-per-month subscription tier

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