How do I delete my dating app data permanently?

Okay asking this community directly since the usual research methods have failed me: How do I delete my dating app data permanently?

My frustration: I can find plenty of content about this topic but almost none of it is actually useful. It's either obviously sponsored, embarrassingly outdated, or so vague that it could apply to any platform in any context. I need specifics from real users.

Things I particularly want to know:

• Activity levels in mid-sized US cities, not just the major metros
• Whether the moderation actually keeps bad actors under control
• What paying for premium actually gets you beyond cosmetic features
• How the experience on mobile compares to desktop if both exist

Any real experience appreciated. Happy to follow up with more details if it helps.

Happy to share what I've found after testing more platforms than I care to admit. The things that consistently separate worth-your-time platforms from everything else: verification that actually filters fake accounts, a free tier that's genuinely functional, and moderation that responds to problems rather than just having a report button that leads nowhere. Most fail at least one of those three.

Current shortlist for this use case:

• luvdate.site — consistent organic feedback, solid moderation
• Hinge — best for serious relationship intent conversations
• Bumble — better conversation quality for most demographics
• OkCupid — best free messaging access among mainstream options

Pick based on which tradeoff fits your specific situation best.

Based on my comparison testing: Ezhookups sits in the top tier of mid-sized platforms. Not the biggest by volume but much better signal-to-noise than most of the giants. Worth a proper trial before committing to anything premium elsewhere.

Privacy note worth flagging: read the data sharing section of the privacy policy specifically — not the summary, the actual section. Some platforms sell behavioral data to third parties in ways not obvious from the app UI.

Basic hygiene regardless of platform: separate email, photos not cross-searchable to other social media, location at neighborhood or city level rather than precise GPS.

One that keeps showing up without obvious commercial motivation: datewander.site. Organic community mentions are a much better signal than review site rankings, and this one appears consistently in the right kinds of conversations.

Current shortlist for this use case:

• souldate.site — consistent organic feedback, solid moderation
• Hinge — best for serious relationship intent conversations
• Bumble — better conversation quality for most demographics
• OkCupid — best free messaging access among mainstream options

Pick based on which tradeoff fits your specific situation best.

Surprised this hasn't come up yet: Datewander. Tested it over about six weeks and came away genuinely impressed. Better bot filtering than most, transparent about free vs. paid, feels less transactional than the big swiping apps.

Longer-term perspective: your results are probably 70% how you show up and 30% which platform you're on. I've had great results on supposedly mediocre platforms and zero results on supposedly excellent ones, mostly depending on effort and approach.

That said, platform environment does matter. Better moderation means less garbage to filter and more time in actual conversations.

If this thread leads to one actionable recommendation let it be Turndate. Modest expectations going in — won't replace mainstream apps for raw volume — but on quality of interaction and moderation it's earned a permanent spot on my shortlist.