Privacy matters! And while Dating Kinky takes every measure to protect your privacy, there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to video.

And that is why we’ve put together this guide. Not to tell you what to do—you’re adults, and I’m guessing you know your privacy needs better than we do.

Instead, the thinking here is to give you some ideas and suggestions that could help you choose your comfort level with video chatting and video verification, and determine whether these are right for you.

First: Understand that when it comes to video online, privacy is a RELATIVE idea.

Even though videos can be deleted, that there are ways to save them (like recording with another device).

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So, even though the video verification you record with Dating Kinky (for example) is only available for five minutes, that’s still plenty of time for a bad actor to do what they want.

Of course, only you can manage your own risk.

So, armed with this knowledge, what can you do to protect yourself during video verification or video chats?

Spend some time vetting your chat mate.

If you prefer to maintain your relative anonymity as a private kink citizen, pick and choose carefully, rather than video chatting with everyone you interact with.

Get to know them in the same way you might get to know someone before meeting them in person, or before getting into a car with them alone—whatever your personal standards are.

And be aware that the really good bad guys (or bad bad guys) are good at gaining your confidence and at pressuring you to do what they want.

Don’t give in to pressure.

Only video verify or chat when YOU want to. If they pressure you or don’t take “No” for an answer, you might want to seriously reconsider your entire communication with them. After all, this is YOUR comfort and consent we’re talking about.

If they make you uncomfortable with their pressuring, you could also report them to the Dating Kinky moderation team. We take things like that seriously, and will (at the very least) make a note on their account, to see if a pattern of reports crops up.

Don’t show your face.

This is simple. Just don’t show your face (or other identifiable marks, like unique tattoos or piercings).

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This works for video verify or video chat, but not equally well. When you are video chatting, you’re likely to be moving around and gesturing, and you may get comfortable and forget that you’re hiding your face, and show more than you intended.

Note that to add to the verification in my example above, I added in my member name, the date, and who I was speaking to. That might be a consideration in your own video verifications.

Wear a mask.

A simple and effective solution to maintain some privacy, while also sharing voice, body language and gestures.

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With all of this in mind, It’s up to you to decide your personal level of privacy and risk, and to move forward with that in mind at all times.