Safety and Privacy | ShidduchMatch

Meeting someone online should feel exciting, not risky. This page explains what ShidduchMatch does to protect you, what you control yourself, and the simple habits that keep online dating and first dates safe.

What data we collect and why

We only ask for what is needed to create your account and suggest compatible profiles:

Account information: name, email, date of birth and gender, to create and secure your account.
Profile and religious practice: marital status, education, profession, observance, Shabbat, kashrut, to calculate compatibility.
Photos: only the ones you choose to upload.
Criteria and personality test: to compute a score that works in both directions.
Messages: exchanged only between members who have matched.
Technical data: IP address, browser type and essential cookies, to keep the site working.

Your data is never sold. Full details are in our privacy policy.

How your account is protected

Every account is linked to a verified email address: at sign-up we send a code that must be entered before you continue. Passwords must contain at least 8 characters and are stored hashed, never in plain text. All communication with the site is encrypted with SSL/TLS, and we only use cookies that are essential for the site to work, with no advertising or third-party tracking cookies.

You can help too: use a password you do not use anywhere else, never share it, and log out when you use a shared computer.

Your photos, your choice

Your main photo is shown on your profile, so choose one you are comfortable with. For each of your other photos (up to 9 in total), you choose between three settings:

Public: visible to members who view your profile.
Blurred: shown blurred until there is a mutual match.
Hidden: not shown until there is a mutual match.

This lets you stay discreet, for example if you prefer that colleagues or people from your community do not recognize you, while still sharing more with people you have matched with.

Messaging only after a mutual match

On ShidduchMatch, nobody can write to you out of the blue. Messaging opens only when you have liked someone and that person has liked you back. This greatly reduces unwanted messages and means every conversation starts with interest on both sides.

Moderation and reporting

Members must respect the terms of use. The team can suspend accounts that break the rules. If a member is disrespectful, insistent, asks you for money or seems to be using a fake profile, email info@shidduchmatch.org with their first name and a description of what happened. Screenshots help us understand the situation.

Safety tips for online dating

Never send money, gift cards or bank details to someone you met online, whatever the reason.
Be wary of sad stories: a sudden emergency, a sick relative or a blocked payment is a classic scam pattern.
Be careful when someone quickly wants to leave the site for WhatsApp or another app before you know them.
Keep personal details private at first: home address, workplace, financial information.
Keep your profile text general: describe your values and interests without giving your full name, street or employer.
Watch for inconsistencies: a story that changes, photos that look professional or too perfect, or refusal to ever speak by phone or video.
Take your time. Someone serious will respect your pace.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, stop the conversation and tell us.

Safety tips for a first date

Have a video call first if you wish. It confirms the person matches their profile.
Meet in a public place: a café, a restaurant or a hotel lobby, during the day or early evening.
Tell a friend or relative where you are going, who you are meeting and when you expect to be back.
Arrange your own transport so you can leave whenever you want.
Stay in control: do not leave your drink or belongings unattended.

If something goes wrong

If a conversation makes you uncomfortable, you do not owe anyone an explanation: simply stop replying. If someone asked you for money, threatened you or pretended to be someone else, write to info@shidduchmatch.org so we can look into the account. If you ever feel in danger, contact the local police first.

With the Premium + Matchmaker plan, your matchmaker gives you advice before a meeting and follows up with you afterwards. See the plans.

Your data rights

You can ask to access, correct or delete your personal data at any time. Account deletion is done on request: send an email to info@shidduchmatch.org from the address linked to your account, saying what you want. If you forget your password, use the forgotten password option on the login page and we will email you a reset link.

Any other question? Visit the FAQ.