# ODDA Challenges Safe Love's App Store Entry Over Leviev's Past _ODDA urges Apple and Google to scrutinize Safe Love, a dating app by Simon Leviev, citing risks due to his fraud history. Founders should note potential hurdles._ Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/tinder-swindler-launches-women-safe-dating Author: High Intent Newsroom Published: 2026-09-25T11:57:22+00:00 Last updated: 2026-09-25T16:25:43.402106+00:00 Category: Policy ## Summary The Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA) is urging Apple and Google to scrutinize Safe Love, a dating app by Simon Leviev, known as the "Tinder Swindler." This means platforms must consider the ethical and safety implications of developers with fraud histories, potentially impacting app store approval for similar ventures. ## Key takeaways - ODDA asked Apple and Google to review Safe Love due to its founder's fraud history. - Simon Leviev, the "Tinder Swindler," is launching Safe Love, claiming it prevents fraud. - Leviev was convicted in 2019 for fraud, theft, and forgery in Israel. - Apple and Google's approval is critical for Safe Love to reach users. - This situation raises questions about trust and accountability for platform operators. ## FAQ ### What is the Online Dating and Discovery Association's (ODDA) concern regarding Safe Love? The ODDA is concerned about user safety and the credibility of Safe Love, urging Apple and Google to carefully review the app before allowing it in their app stores due to its founder, Simon Leviev's, past fraud history. This is an unusual step for the industry organization. ### Who is Simon Leviev and what is his connection to the dating app industry? Simon Leviev, also known as the "Tinder Swindler," was featured in a 2022 Netflix documentary about allegations he defrauded women on dating apps and was convicted in Israel in 2019 for fraud, theft, and forgery. He is now launching a dating app called Safe Love. ### How might this situation impact future app store approvals for dating businesses? This situation highlights how app stores like Apple's App Store and Google Play Store may scrutinize apps developed or fronted by individuals with criminal histories, especially fraud. It could lead to increased due diligence requirements regarding developer backgrounds and ethical considerations for user safety. ### What is Safe Love's stated purpose, despite its founder's background? Safe Love is being marketed as a dating platform specifically designed to protect women from romance fraud. Leviev claims his past experience gives him unique insight into how scammers operate and how manipulation works in romantic relationships, enabling him to create safeguards. ### What action have Apple and Google taken regarding the ODDA's request about Safe Love? As of the article's publication, neither Apple nor Google has publicly commented on the ODDA letter or indicated what position they will take regarding Safe Love. Their approval is essential for the app to reach a significant user base. - Simon Leviev, known as the "Tinder Swindler," is planning to launch a dating app called Safe Love aimed at protecting women from romance fraud. - Leviev was featured in a 2022 Netflix documentary about allegations he defrauded women he met on dating apps and was separately convicted in Israel in 2019 for fraud, theft and forgery. - The Online Dating and Discovery Association has written to Apple and Google requesting they carefully review the app before allowing it in their app stores. - Safe Love has not yet launched but is being marketed as a platform designed to prevent the type of scams Leviev himself was accused of perpetrating. In a controversial move that has drawn criticism from industry watchdogs, Simon Leviev is attempting to reinvent himself as a protector of online daters. The man made infamous by Netflix's documentary about his alleged romance scams now wants to operate the very type of platform where he reportedly found his victims. His proposed app, Safe Love, claims it will safeguard women from the kind of fraud he was accused of committing. Simon Leviev, born Shimon Hayut, became one of the most notorious figures in online dating after the 2022 Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler brought his story to millions of viewers. The film documented claims from multiple women who said he met them on Tinder, systematically gained their trust and persuaded them to hand over large sums of money. While Leviev denies these specific allegations, he was separately convicted in Israel in 2019 of fraud, theft and forgery. Now, he argues that his past experience gives him unique insight into how scammers operate and how manipulation works in the context of romantic relationships. Person using dating app on smartphone ## The Safe Love Proposal Safe Love is being pitched as a dating platform specifically designed to protect women from romance fraud. The irony of this positioning has not been lost on industry observers or victims' advocates. Leviev claims his firsthand knowledge of fraudulent tactics makes him uniquely qualified to create safeguards against them. The app promises enhanced verification processes and fraud detection mechanisms, though specific details about how these features will work remain unclear. The announcement of Safe Love has been met with skepticism from multiple quarters. Consumer protection advocates have questioned whether someone with Leviev's history should be trusted to operate a platform where vulnerable people seek romantic connections. Dating industry professionals have expressed concerns about the message it sends to potential scammers and victims alike. Despite the criticism, Leviev has continued to promote the venture on social media and through various publicity channels. > Leviev argues that his experience gives him an understanding of manipulation and how scammers operate. ## Industry Pushback The Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA), a trade body representing legitimate dating platforms, has taken formal action against the proposed app. The organization has written directly to both Apple and Google, urging them to carefully consider the risks of distributing a dating service founded, operated or fronted by Leviev. The ODDA statement highlights concerns about user safety and the credibility of the platform. This intervention represents an unusual step for the industry organization, which typically focuses on promoting best practices rather than opposing specific apps. Mobile phone displaying app store ODDA's letter asks both tech giants to examine Safe Love closely before deciding whether to grant it access to their app stores. Apple's App Store and Google Play Store serve as gatekeepers for mobile applications, and their approval is essential for any dating app hoping to reach a significant user base. Both companies have policies regarding app safety and developer conduct, though the application of these policies to someone with Leviev's background remains to be seen. Neither Apple nor Google has publicly commented on the ODDA letter or indicated what position they will take regarding Safe Love. > ODDA is asking Apple and Google to examine the app closely before deciding whether to give it access to their stores. ## Questions About Trust and Accountability The Safe Love controversy raises fundamental questions about rehabilitation, trust and accountability in the digital age. Can someone convicted of fraud credibly operate a platform designed to prevent fraud? Should past criminal behavior permanently disqualify someone from certain business ventures, or does everyone deserve a second chance? These are not easy questions to answer, and opinions vary widely depending on perspective. Critics argue that allowing Leviev to profit from a dating app would be deeply inappropriate given his history. They point out that many of his alleged victims are still dealing with the financial and emotional consequences of their encounters with him. Some worry that his involvement could actually attract scammers to the platform rather than deter them. The Netflix documentary gave Leviev a level of notoriety that could be leveraged for marketing purposes, which some find ethically troubling. Person looking concerned while using smartphone Safe Love has not yet launched, and its future remains uncertain. Whether Apple and Google will approve the app for their stores is still unknown. The ODDA intervention has certainly raised the profile of the issue and may influence how the tech companies approach their decision. For now, the dating app world watches and waits to see if the Tinder Swindler will get another chance to operate in the industry where he became infamous. - The involvement of convicted fraudsters in consumer-facing platforms raises important questions about corporate responsibility and user protection that tech companies must carefully consider. - Industry self-regulation through organizations like ODDA can play an important role in flagging potential safety concerns before problematic apps reach consumers. - Dating app users should remain vigilant about safety regardless of platform promises, as no verification system can completely eliminate the risk of fraud or deception in online relationships. ## Sources - [ODDA statement](https://theodda.org/whats-happening/the-odda-writes-to-apple-and-google-over-the-tinder-swindlers-dating-app/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), Theodda Published by High Intent (High Intent Media Inc). Citation permitted with a link to the source URL above.