Safety Guidelines

Draft v0.2 — 13 July 2026

Known dates are arranged by friends who know you — accountability, not a guarantee. Matchmakers vouch as friends, not as investigators, and Known does not vet or background-check anyone. A first date is still a first date with someone you haven't met. Please treat these guidelines as part of how Known works, not as fine print.

Before the date

  • Keep it public. First dates on Known are coffee, a walk, a casual meal — in a public place. If a venue change is suggested somewhere private, decline and tell your matchmaker.
  • Tell someone. Your matchmaker already knows where and when — also tell a friend or housemate, and check in with them after.
  • Arrange your own transport there and back. Don't depend on your date to get home.
  • You can always say no. Cancel, reschedule, or hit "I'm uncomfortable with this" on the date card — you never owe anyone an explanation, and your matchmaker won't be told more than you choose to share.

During the date

  • Watch your drink. Never leave food or a drink unattended, and don't accept drinks you didn't see poured. Drink spiking is rare but real; this one habit removes most of the risk.
  • Stay sober enough to decide. Keep your own judgement in the room.
  • Keep your own information yours. There's no need to share your home address, workplace details, or financial information with someone you've just met. Anyone asking for money — however good the story — is a scam; report it.
  • Trust the prickle. If something feels off, it's off. Leave. Text your person. You will never be penalised on Known for leaving a date.

After the date

  • Give honest feedback on the date card — including "I felt uncomfortable". That signal protects the next person, and only goes to Known's safety team unless you choose otherwise.
  • Report anything concerning at /report: pressure, dishonesty (married, wrong age, wrong identity), inappropriate behaviour, anything. A report is confidential — the person reported is not told who reported them.

If something serious happens

Your safety comes before anything to do with this app.

  • Emergency: call the South African Police Service on 10111, or 112 from any mobile.
  • Gender-based violence: GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428 (24 hours), or SMS "help" to 31531.
  • Rape Crisis (Cape Town): 021 447 9762 (24 hours).
  • If you believe you were drugged, get somewhere safe with someone you trust and seek medical care immediately — tell the medical staff what you suspect, as evidence windows are short.
  • Then, when you are safe: report it to us at /report or admin@knowndating.co.za. We will act on it, including removing users and assisting the police where appropriate.

What Known does on its side

  • Invite-only community — everyone was brought in by someone.
  • Every date has named matchmakers attached to it. That's context, not vetting.
  • No public profiles, no browsing of singles, no exact addresses in the app.
  • A report and review process with the ability to remove users permanently.
  • Your surname and contact details are never shown to a date unless you share them yourself.

What Known cannot do is guarantee any person's character or behaviour — no introduction, however well-meant, is a guarantee. Matchmakers vouch as friends, not as investigators. The habits above are what keep you safe.