Matchmaking: Safer Than the Dating Apps

Satnam and Rajni Singh of UK Rishta believe the big dating apps put revenue ahead of their users’ safety. Their answer is a matchmaking service where every member is identity-checked and DBS-checked, ghosting is against the rules, and Rajni personally matches VIP clients. Kevin brings his information security experience to one of their biggest challenges.

Summary of the Podcast

Satnam and Rajni run UK Rishta, a matchmaking service that began in the South Asian community. Satnam explains how high-profile cases of abuse involving fake dating profiles convinced him that online dating needed accountability, and led him to create a vetting code of practice.

The business now runs three platforms: UKRishta.com for the South Asian community, UKMuslimRishta.com for the Muslim community and VettedMatches.com for the wider UK public. Members can search for themselves, or choose a VIP service where Rajni does the matching. The conversation covers how the vetting works, the anti-ghosting policy, and how the business can keep its members’ sensitive documents secure.

Key Takeaways

• Vetting is the difference: mandatory identity checks and annual DBS checks address the scams, fake profiles and abuse that Satnam sees on the mainstream apps.
• A human touch: alongside self-search, a VIP service has Rajni matching people herself, building trust and compatibility.
• No ghosting allowed: members must explain why they are ending contact within 15 days. Those who don’t respond have their profile deleted.
• Protect the data: vetting means handling passports and DBS certificates. Kevin recommends ISO 27001 certification as an auditable, independently verified standard.

The Problem with Dating Apps

• Satnam argues that the major apps prioritise revenue over protecting their users, leaving room for scams, fake profiles and abuse.
• He describes cases in which fake profiles were used to target and endanger victims, which prompted him to create a vetting code of practice for the industry.

How the Vetting Works

• DBS checks, renewed every year.
• Identity verification using a passport, driving licence or National Insurance number.
• Confirmation of legal status and a review of social media profiles.
• For members worried about sending documents online, optional in-person vetting is available, from around £100 in the West Midlands to £300 in Scotland.

Keeping Members’ Data Secure

• At present, members email their documents to the vetting team, who review and then delete them. Satnam recognises that email is vulnerable to hacking.
• Kevin’s advice is ISO 27001. In his experience it is more affordable and less burdensome than people expect, and it improves internal processes too.
• An alternative is a DBS umbrella company that handles checks externally, although that raises the cost to members, for example from £21.50 to around £32 for a DBS check.

Working with Satnam and Rajni

You can find out more at ukrishta.com, ukmuslimrishta.com and vettedmatches.com.

Clips from the Podcast

Mandatory DBS Checks for Every Member

Why Ghosting Is Against the Rules

Prefer Not to Upload? Get Vetted in Person

Testimonial

From First-Time Nerves to Feeling at Home

Sponsor – inCruises

Graham Arrowsmith’s company Finely Fettled is an inCruises Independent Partner and invites you to find out more about inCruises.

inCruises Link

The Next 100 Days Podcast Co-Hosts

Graham Arrowsmith

Graham founded Finely Fettled in 2014 to provide data from The UK High Net Worth Database to marketers targeting affluent and high-net-worth customers. He’s the founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, creating lead generation AI Agents & Workflows and introducing the MeclabsAI Platform. Graham is an inCruises Independent Partner, and is building up interest from people around the world in the World’s Largest Travel Membership – inCruises. You can sign up and access 21,000+ cruises, hotels and tours by clicking HERE

Kevin Appleby

Kevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He’s the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com