Privacy is a pretty huge issue for most people. People are concerned that their personal information is going to get out somehow, or that if they give their email address to a site they are going to get a bunch of spam. Online dating services are somewhat unique in that here, people give personal information with the intention that others will see it. However they still want to be in complete control, and a good dating site will keep the user in control at all times. This means always keeping a user's email address private. It also means providing robust blocking features, so you can block people from sending you messages or even seeing your profile. It means if you decide you don't want people seeing your profile, you can turn it invisible with a click of a button. It means when you give your email address to a site, you only receive email that you specifically requested, and you can always turn emails on and off. A good dating site will provide you with all of these tools, and generally make you feel safe and in control.
There are specific things you can do to protect your online privacy. Don't give out your full name, address, phone number, or any other identifying information to anyone until you feel ready. It is probably best to meet in person before you give someone that information just so you can really get a good feel for them.
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