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Tinder Will Soon Let You Background Check Your Matches
Tinder dates are about to become a bit less nerve-wracking because the company behind the online dating application, Match Group, has invested in low-cost background check provider Garbo.
Thanks to Garbo, Tinder users will be able to see their potential date’s arrest record or history of violence just by entering the person’s first name and phone number or their full name only — information they should have before going on a date.
Garbo’s database includes public records and reports of violence or abuse, including arrests, convictions, restraining orders, harassment, and other violent crimes. The service accepts manual submissions of police report(s), order(s) of protection/restraining orders, and other legal documents that report abuse, harassment, or other crimes.
Garbo doesn’t, however, publicize charges that, according to the platform’s active stance toward equity, promote racism, hate, and oppression. “Garbo is acutely aware of systemic racial inequality in America and that the intimations of this are embedded in the criminal justice system,” explained Garbo in a blog post.
Most notably, Garbo believes that there’s no link between drug possession and gender-based violence, the company’s main focus. In addition to drug possession charges, Garbo also doesn’t disclose traffic violations, so don’t be surprised when your Tinder date runs a red light when speeding to make your restaurant reservation on time.
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The background check feature won’t be free, but Tinder’s parent company is trying to make it as accessible as possible. It’s possible that Tinder will charge for each background check, but the dating app could also include a certain number of background checks in each of its premium subscription plans.
Since Match Group also owns OkCupid, Hinge, and, of course, Match, it’s likely that their users will get to enjoy the ability to run background checks on potential dates in the near future. It’s worth noting that Match Group won’t share any data with Garbo, so it will be up to users themselves to enter the necessary information manually.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.