# Cloaked Survey Reveals Robocalls Deter Phone Sharing on Dating Apps, Pressuring Platforms to Enhance Privacy

_Cloaked finds 30% avoid sharing numbers on dating apps due to robocalls. Platforms must enhance privacy to maintain user trust and engagement._

Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/dating-app-users-avoid-sharing-info
Author: High Intent Newsroom
Published: 2026-07-08T10:35:35+00:00
Last updated: 2026-07-31T16:44:43.999913+00:00
Category: The Data

## Summary

A Cloaked survey indicates 30% of dating app users avoid sharing their real phone numbers due to spam calls and privacy concerns. This trend suggests dating platforms must enhance privacy and security features to foster trust and facilitate authentic connections, as users are reluctant to share personal contact information in an environment saturated with unwanted communications.

## Key takeaways

- 30% of dating app users avoid sharing phone numbers due to privacy concerns.
- Users ignore unknown numbers, potentially missing dating connections.
- A majority of Americans refuse to trade privacy for spam reduction.
- Platforms protecting user numbers will attract more authentic engagement.

## FAQ

### How does robocall prevalence affect dating app user behavior?

Robocall prevalence significantly impacts dating app user behavior, as 30% of users now avoid sharing their real phone number due to privacy concerns. Users also rarely answer calls from unfamiliar numbers, potentially missing authentic connections from dating profiles, indicating a shift towards cautious communication on these platforms.

### What percentage of dating app users are reluctant to share their phone numbers?

30% of dating app users are reluctant to share their real phone numbers, according to a survey by Cloaked. This reluctance is primarily driven by privacy concerns and the constant barrage of spam calls and texts, affecting how users interact on dating platforms.

### Why is user privacy becoming more critical for dating platforms?

User privacy is becoming more critical for dating platforms because users are increasingly cautious about sharing personal information, especially phone numbers, due to spam. Platforms that prioritize robust privacy and security features will likely attract and retain users who seek authentic connections without the risk of unwanted contact, as 75% of Americans are unwilling to trade privacy for convenience.

### Are users willing to compromise privacy for reduced spam calls?

No, users are largely unwilling to compromise privacy for reduced spam calls. Only 36% of Americans would share their identity with a federal database to reduce calls by 80%. Even if spam calls were reduced by 95%, one-quarter of respondents would still refuse to share additional personal information.

- Americans receive an average of 16 spam calls and 9 spam texts per month, with robocalls cited as the most irritating form of unwanted contact by 58% of respondents

- 30% of dating app users avoid sharing their real phone number due to privacy concerns, and 66% have missed important calls by ignoring unknown numbers

- Nearly 8 in 10 Americans rarely or never answer calls from unfamiliar numbers, potentially missing connections from dating profiles and social platforms

- Only 36% would share their identity with a federal database to reduce spam calls by 80%, showing strong resistance to trading privacy for convenience

The constant barrage of robocalls and spam texts is fundamentally changing how Americans share their personal contact information, with dating and social connections taking a significant hit. New research reveals that privacy concerns and spam fatigue are causing users to withhold their real phone numbers, even when it means missing out on potential romantic connections. This trend poses challenges for dating platforms as they try to balance user privacy with authentic connection.

Person looking at smartphone with concerned expression

## The Scale of the Spam Problem

According to a new survey from privacy company Cloaked, the Robocall Privacy Tradeoff Report, robocalls are having a significant impact on how Americans share their phone number, especially when it comes to dating. Based on a survey of 1000 Americans interviewed throughout June of this year, the average person receives 16 spam calls and 9 spam texts per month. Robocalls remain the most irritating form of unwanted contact, cited by 58% of respondents.

On its own, this would simply be an annoyance, but the prevalence of spam has led to more and more users refusing to share their number even when it hampers their social and dating opportunities. The survey found that privacy concerns are causing many users to limit sharing their real phone numbers. More than half (55%) refuse to provide their actual number on social media.

> On dating apps specifically, 30% of respondents said they avoid sharing their real phone number.

On dating apps specifically, 30% of respondents said they avoid sharing their real phone number. This figure is higher than for online shopping (33%) but lower than for rewards programs in some contexts. The research suggests that concerns extend beyond simple privacy.

Dating app interface on mobile phone screen

## Missing Important Connections

Around 66% of Americans said they have missed an important call because they ignored an unknown number, while one-third reported missing calls from doctors, hospitals or healthcare providers due to spam avoidance. Nearly eight in ten respondents said they rarely or never answer calls from unfamiliar numbers. This can, naturally, include calls they are getting from dating profiles or other social platforms too.

While robocalls remain the biggest annoyance, respondents identified phishing emails as the most convincing form of online scam and the type they are most likely to engage with accidentally. Social media direct messages ranked second, followed by spam text messages. However, in terms of direct impact on daily life, robocalls and other spam calls appear to cause the most disruption.

## Privacy vs. Convenience

The survey also examined whether consumers would sacrifice some privacy in exchange for fewer spam calls. Just 36% said they would allow their mobile carrier to share their identity with a federal database if it reduced spam calls by 80%. Even if the reduction increased to 95%, one in four respondents said they still would not agree to share additional personal information.

> With the dating market shifting towards authenticity as more users lose interest in abstracted swiping systems, sharing phone numbers might become a more prominent form of connection for newly-matched singles.

Person using smartphone for communication

With the dating market shifting towards authenticity as more users lose interest in abstracted swiping systems, sharing phone numbers might become a more prominent form of connection for newly-matched singles. However, this may in turn lead to platforms being ignored if they don't provide proper protection and security features to stop those numbers from being bombarded with spam. This means that privacy is becoming an increasingly important factor in how users choose to connect.

- The spam call epidemic is creating a trust problem that extends beyond annoyance, causing Americans to miss important personal and professional connections by avoiding unknown numbers entirely

- Dating platforms must prioritize robust privacy and security features to remain competitive, as users increasingly refuse to share real phone numbers without proper protection

- Americans value their privacy more than convenience, with three-quarters unwilling to share personal data with federal databases even if it would eliminate 95% of spam calls

## Sources

- [Cloaked](https://www.cloaked.com/research-hub/robocall-privacy-tradeoff), Cloaked

Published by High Intent (High Intent Media Inc). Citation permitted with a link to the source URL above.