According to the latest study by Kaspersky, a cybersecurity solutions provider, digital stalking remains a significant concern for individuals engaging in online dating. Digital footprints expose people to potential online abuse from individuals they meet through online platforms.
The study, which surveyed 1,000 people across 21 countries, found that 23% of respondents reported experiencing some form of online stalking from someone they had recently started dating online.
“The Internet of Things offers numerous possibilities, but it also presents threats, such as the ease of access to traceable data, leaving individuals vulnerable to abuse,” David Emm, principal security researcher at Kaspersky, said in a media advisory.
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Digital stalking
The study identified various forms of abuse, with a significant portion of respondents (39%) reporting instances of violence or abuse from current or past partners. Also, 16% of respondents stated they had received unwanted emails or messages, while 13% had been filmed or photographed without their consent. A further 10% reported having their location tracked, 10% experienced hacking of their social media accounts or emails, and 7% had stalkerware installed on their devices without their knowledge.
Kaspersky noted that females reported experiencing abuse at a higher rate (42%) compared to male respondents (36%). The majority of abuse occurred within current dating relationships (48%) rather than long-term relationships (37%).
Approximately 34% of respondents expressed awareness of the dangers associated with online stalking, with female respondents exhibiting slightly higher concern than males (36% vs 31%, respectively).
“While the blame for these behaviors never falls on the victims of stalking, there is unfortunately a burden on them to take steps to mitigate risks.” He encouraged individuals to verify identities online and carefully consider the information they share to prevent it from being misused.
Kaspersky said it would be ideal if dating apps and social could implement verification services, which could be the first step to mitigate online abuse and stalking.