Safety Tips

Last updated: 02.04.2026 · Version: 1.1

This page has been prepared to inform WIN users about online safety, in-person meeting safety, consent and personal boundaries, location and travel, and protection from fraud, and to support a safe experience. These tips are advisory in nature; they are not a list of legal obligations. It is important that you always put your safety first and use complaints and blocking tools in suspicious or uncomfortable situations.

Related documents

This page should be read together with the following WIN documents:

Purpose and scope of this guide

• Purpose: To bring together in one place advice that helps WIN users feel safe both inside the app and outside it (in-person meetings, use in different locations).
• Scope: Online safety, protection of personal information, romance scam warnings, meeting safety, consent and boundaries, location/travel use, reporting/blocking, and emergency help resources.
• Limit: This text is not legal advice or a security guarantee. No guide eliminates all risks entirely; where help can be sought and reports can be made after a negative experience is set out below.

Online safety

Protect your personal information

• Do not share: Do not share your home or work address, your daily routine (e.g. the gym you go to every Monday), your full name, your social media accounts, or your contact details with someone you do not know.
• In profiles and messages: Under WIN Terms of Use and Community Guidelines, sharing contact information (phone, email, address, social media links) in profiles and messages may be restricted or prohibited. This is both for platform security and your protection.
• Green checkmark: For your safety, check the green checkmark badge on profiles. This badge indicates that the user’s profile photo has passed the platform’s Google Gemini-based verification process.
• If you are a parent: Keep information about your children (name, school, age, photo) to a minimum on your profile or in early communication.

For details on the processing and protection of personal data, see the Privacy Policy and KVKK Privacy Notice pages. Privacy of private life and confidentiality of communications are protected under Articles 132–140 of Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237 (TCC).

Do not send money or share financial information

• Never send money: Do not make bank transfers, use transfer apps, or send cash even if the other party claims to be in an emergency or to need help due to illness/travel/etc. Such transactions often cannot be reversed.
• Do not share financial information: Do not share your credit card number, PIN, bank account details, e-wallet, or investment account information with anyone.
• Investment / business offers: If someone you have met directs you to a particular site, app, or investment instrument, it may be a sign of romance fraud; read the section below and report the suspicious profile.

Requests for money or donations are prohibited conduct under Community Guidelines and Terms of Use; if you encounter such a request, use Report / Block.

Stay on the platform

• Until you know the other person, keep the chat inside WIN. Malicious users often want to move communication quickly to WhatsApp, Telegram, email, or phone so that you leave the platform’s moderation and security tools behind.
• Safe messaging flow: On WIN you can only message people who have selected you (“Picked You”). This is a security layer that helps prevent messages from people you do not want.
• You may also report under Community Guidelines in cases of harassment, fraud, or threats on channels outside WIN; WIN may assess serious violations that occur outside the app as well. However, staying on the platform is generally safer for evidence collection and rapid response.

Screenshot and content-sharing risk

• Messages and images you share in the app may be screenshotted or copied by the other party in other ways and shared with third parties. This risk cannot be fully eliminated.
• Therefore avoid sharing identifying details in your profile and messages (address, licence plate, home/work signage, school/work ID badge, document photos, live location screen, etc.).
• If shared content is beyond your control, use Report / Block as soon as possible where possible, and preserve evidence for legal action if necessary.

Non-consensual intimate content, “cyberflashing,” and extortion (sextortion)

Some malicious users may send non-consensual sexual content or resort to extortion/threats through intimate image sharing.

• Sending non-consensual content (unwanted sexual images or messages) is unacceptable. In such a situation, stop communication and use Report / Block.
• Think before sharing intimate images: You do not “owe” anyone intimate images. If you do share, pay particular attention to not including elements that could identify you (face, tattoo, location, documents, etc.).
• If there is a threat or extortion: Do not send money, do not negotiate, do not prolong communication. Preserve evidence and contact law enforcement if necessary. Such threats are a serious risk area both for safety and legally.

Protect your account

• Account and session security: If you sign in with Google, protect your Google account (strong password, two-step verification where possible). If you sign in with a phone number, do not share OTP codes with anyone; WIN will never ask you to pass on codes outside the app.
• Shared or public device: If you signed in from a shared or public computer/phone, sign out.
• Phishing warning: WIN will never ask for username, password, or payment information by email or message. If you receive such a request, report it to us and do not click links.

Report suspicious behaviour

Report all suspicious or uncomfortable behaviour, including the following, with Report; use Block if necessary:

• Requests for money, donations, or financial help
• Suspicion of a user who is not of legal age
• Harassment, threats, insults, or hate speech
• Non-consensual sexual content or persistent behaviour
• Fake or misleading profile
• Spam, commercial sales, or referral links
• Serious harassment/violence/fraud outside the app (with evidence where possible)

The reporting process and categories are consistent with Community Guidelines and (where the service is offered in the EU) the DSA Compliance Page. Content and traffic data may be processed under Law No. 5651 and related legislation.

Meeting safety (in-person)

If you choose to meet in person with someone you met through WIN, you are advised to consider the following tips.

Do not rush

• Get to know the other person well enough before agreeing to a meeting or to communication outside WIN. Ask questions to spot red flags or behaviour that does not match your personal boundaries.
• A phone or video call can be a useful step to assess the other person before meeting. Be cautious about people who refuse in-person meetings or keep postponing them.

Meet in a public, busy place

• For first meetings, always choose a busy, public place: café, restaurant, park, event venue, etc.
• Avoid private venues: Do not hold the first meeting at your home, the other person’s home, or isolated/remote places. If your date pressures you to go to a private place, end the meeting and leave safely.

Share your plans with someone you trust

• Who, where, when: Share where you are going, who you are meeting, and your estimated return time with a friend or family member.
• If plans change: Pass on updates if the meeting place or duration changes.
• Phone: Keep your mobile phone charged and with you; you may use location sharing (with someone you trust) if needed.

Keep control of your own transport

• Use your own transport or go and return by public transport / taxi / ride-share. That way you can leave the meeting whenever you want.
• Do not get into the other person’s vehicle (especially on a first meeting); do not share your address and be cautious about “I’ll pick you up / drop you off” offers.

Alcohol and your boundaries

• Limit alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol affects your judgment and reaction time; it makes safe decision-making harder.
• Do not leave your drink unattended. Only accept drinks served directly to you by the bartender or waiter. Some substances that can be added to drinks are odourless and colourless.
• Pressure: If the other person pressures you to drink alcohol or use drugs, say no, end the meeting, and go somewhere safe.

Keep your personal belongings with you

• Keep your phone, wallet, bag, and items containing personal information with you at all times; do not leave them on the table or elsewhere.

Leave if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe

• Leaving early is entirely acceptable; it is even encouraged. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, you can ask a manager, waiter, or security for help, or leave directly. Your safety comes first.

Consent and personal boundaries

• Consent: Clear and enthusiastic “yes” is required for physical or digital closeness, sharing sexual content, or intimate conversations. “No” or ambiguous answers count as “no”; persistence or coercion is unacceptable.
• Consent can be withdrawn: Even if you previously agreed, you can say “I don’t want this anymore” at any time; the other person must respect that.
• Alcohol/drugs: A person under the influence of alcohol or drugs may have lost the capacity to give consent; do not proceed in such a situation.
• Digital consent: Sending non-consensual sexual content on WIN, persistent harassment, or boundary violations is prohibited under Community Guidelines and Terms of Use and is subject to enforcement. It is consistent with Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237 (offences against public decency and private life).

You can obtain information on sexual health (CYBE test, protection, communication with partners) from local health institutions or a health professional you trust.

Safety with location and travel

• Location data: WIN may process your location information for features such as matching and distance display. How location is collected, stored, and used is explained in the Privacy Policy and KVKK Privacy Notice. You can restrict or turn off location permission in your settings (some features may be limited).
• Use in another city or country (Passport / Travel): The feature to see users in other cities or countries (Passport/Travel) is planned to be offered within upper-tier packages such as Platinum, with certain usage limits.
• Safety while travelling: If you use WIN while travelling or in a different location, consider local safety and privacy expectations. In some regions, dating apps or disclosure of sexual orientation/gender identity may carry legal or social risk.
• LGBTQ+ users: We aim for a community respectful of gender identity and sexual orientation; however, legal and social risks vary worldwide. When travelling to a new region, research local laws and use options such as hiding your profile or limiting location information if needed for your safety. It is known that in some countries law enforcement has used dating apps for entrapment; exercise extra caution in those regions. For up-to-date information on sexual orientation laws by country, you may consult international civil society sources (e.g. ILGA World).

Protection from romance fraud

Romance (or emotional) fraud targets obtaining money, gifts, or personal information by building a fake relationship or trust. Pay attention to the following warning signs:

• Requests for money or financial help: Asking for money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards citing urgent surgery, travel, a business opportunity, taxes, or “one-time” help.
• Rapid emotional intensity: Extreme expressions right after meeting, such as “I fell in love” or “I want to make you the meaning of my life,” and pressure for a serious relationship.
• Refusing in-person or video meetings: Constant excuses (broken camera, too busy, etc.); wanting to stay on text only.
• Story inconsistencies: If their job, location, family, or past events contradict over time.
• Investment or “opportunity” offers: Asking you to sign up for a particular site, app, or “guaranteed return” investment.
• Wanting to leave WIN quickly: Moving the chat immediately to email, WhatsApp, or another channel.

Complaints, blocking, and help

Inside WIN

• Report: You can report inappropriate behaviour from a profile, chat, or content. Reports are assessed under Community Guidelines and (where the service is offered in the EU) the DSA Compliance Page; statements of reasons and appeal routes are provided in line with applicable law. For written applications you may use the Content Violation Form or Complaint and Notification Form. If you wish to appeal a moderation decision in writing, you may apply via the Appeal Form.
• Block: When you block a user, they cannot see you again or send you messages. You can use this together with a report.
• Content removal or account restrictions: If a violation is found, measures such as warnings, content removal, account suspension, or permanent closure may be applied. Details are in Community Guidelines and Terms of Use.

In an emergency or serious crime situation

In addition to written guides, you can quickly reach emergency help resources and safety tips via information (“i”) buttons on relevant screens inside the WIN app.

• Imminent danger (TR): Call 112 (Emergency). (155 may be routed to 112 in some areas.)
• Imminent danger (EU/Europe): 112 (common number for all emergencies across Europe).
• Social support / crisis: You can obtain information and referrals via 183 (Social Support Line).
• Violence / harassment / cybercrime: Report the incident to law enforcement; preserve evidence (screenshots, message logs). WIN acts in accordance with the Law Enforcement Guide for competent authorities’ lawful requests.

Emergency help and support resources

The numbers and resources below are for information; verify current contact details with the relevant institutions.

International resources (may be useful when travelling or abroad): organisations such as RAINN (sexual assault), the National Domestic Violence Hotline, human trafficking helplines, and LGBTQ+ support lines vary by country; refer to official or trusted civil society sources in your country.

Legal framework (brief reference)

These safety tips have been prepared to be consistent with the following legislation and policy framework:

• Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237 (TCC): Privacy of private life and confidentiality of communications (Arts. 132–140), public indecency (Art. 226), and related offences.
• Law No. 5651: Publications on the internet and hosting provider liability; blocking access and content removal processes.
• KVKK No. 6698: Processing, storage, and transfer of personal data; privacy notices and rights.
• DSA (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065): User safety, notice & action, statement of reasons, and appeal mechanisms where the service is offered in the EU.

For detailed legislative references and legal bases in WIN documents, see the texts of Community Guidelines, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and DSA Compliance Page. The in-project Regulation/fihrist.md document is used for the legislative index and related law file paths.