ODDA Challenges Safe Love's App Store Entry Over Leviev's Past

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.

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.

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.

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.