RAW’s Flagging System Makes Women Gatekeepers of Safety

RAW dating app has a new incentive for female users to stay on the app, and for male users to behave themselves: a profile flagging feature. 

After interacting with a male user on the app, the female user can determine whether the male user’s behavior warrants a green, beige, or red flag. The more green flags a male user has, the more visible he is on the app. And if he has too many red flags, his account will be removed — permanently. 

The new flagging feature is yet another example of modern apps coming up with creative solutions to common problems. In this case, women have more control over their own safety, and the “good guys” stand out for all the right reasons. 

In a press release, Marina Anderson, co-founder of RAW, said the flagging feature brings “a new kind of accountability” to the dating industry. Men who receive beige (neutral) and red flags have to come to terms with their behavior and make positive changes, or suffer the consequences. 

Bringing Up an Ex Tops the List of Red Flags

“[The flagging feature is] about safety, solidarity, and giving the good guys more visibility,” Anderson said. But it’s also about “women setting the standard together” — and addressing the most common red flags women pick up on when they interact with men on dating apps. 

RAW determined which behaviors earned the most red flags; mansplaining (19%) and not texting back (17%) were near the top of the list. By far, men received the most red flags (24%) when they mentioned an ex or had a picture of their ex on their dating profile. 

It’s worth noting that red flags aren’t always about anger or fear; they can also be about wanting to connect with people who are ready to explore new relationships. If a profile photo includes an ex, most potential matches will probably assume that person isn’t over their past love. 

In this way, RAW’s flagging feature doesn’t only allow daters to flag bad actors or bad behavior, but people who may not be ready to make authentic connections. 

“Beige flags” are far more variable, and a user can’t be banned for receiving too many. RAW describes beige flags as “harmless but noticeable quirks” that may or may not be dealbreakers, depending on the person. Twenty-six percent of RAW users sent a beige flag when their match used “too many emojis” while texting, for example. 

The most commonly issued green flags reveal the qualities women value most from men while online dating. Nineteen percent of women on RAW send a green flag when a match takes initiative and plans their own date.

Men expressing genuine interest by asking questions (28%) and being good at texting (31%) are particularly attractive features to female RAW users. 

Women Can Take Control of Their Own Safety 

By giving women the power to send green, beige, and red flags, RAW is telling them that they understand the struggle: The disproportionate number of unsolicited images and harassing texts toward women make it clear that something needs to change. 

The standard dating app response — reporting inappropriate accounts, sending generic warnings to offending accounts — may not be enough to satisfy the safety needs of the modern woman on a dating app. 

The flagging feature allows women to quickly and clearly send their feedback. They’re not only ridding apps of bad actors; they’re keeping each other safe, too. 

Female dating app users prioritize safety, especially considering the past cybersecurity concerns at apps like Tea, Bumble, and yes, RAW.

RAW suffered a data breach back in May that left sensitive user information, including names, locations, and sexual preferences, exposed. At the time, HostingAdvice’s Jordan Sprogis explained why it’s so important for apps like RAW to take cybersecurity seriously. 

“Hackers today are way too motivated to let these things go unchecked,” Sprogis said. “If there’s anything I’ve learned from today’s environment, cybersecurity should never come second.” 

Of course, some users are bound to take pause with the new feature. What if a user with bad intentions loads up a profile with unearned red flags? 

In a press release announcing the flagging feature, the app said the feature is “tightly moderated”, leaving no room for bullying, inconsistency, and hateful comments. At the end of the day, RAW’s goal is for users to feel safe, respected, and connected — and for female users to be able to take control of their own safety.