Your safety is at the heart of Link-up. We verify every profile and give you tools to block and report bad actors, but the most important line of defence is you. Please take a few minutes to read these guidelines before chatting or meeting in person.

Online safety

Protect your personal information

Don't share your full name, home address, ID number, or workplace too early.
Use the in-app chat instead of giving out your phone number, WhatsApp, or social media.
Be cautious about sharing photos that reveal your location or daily routine.

Watch for red flags

Anyone asking for money, banking details, or "investment" opportunities.
Profiles that seem too good to be true or only have one or two photos.
Pressure to move off Link-up to another platform soon after matching.
Inconsistent stories, refusing video calls, or avoiding meeting in public.
Requests for explicit photos, especially early in the conversation.

Use Link-up's safety tools

Verification badge: prefer chatting with users who have completed identity verification.
Block & report: use the report button on any profile that makes you uncomfortable. Our Trust & Safety team reviews every report.
Photo controls: manage who can see your photos and choose to hide your profile temporarily at any time.

Meeting in person

Take it slow

Have a few conversations before meeting up. A short video call can confirm the person matches their photos.
Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is.

Pick a safe location

Meet during the day in a busy public place such as a coffee shop, restaurant, or shopping centre.
Avoid going to private homes or remote locations on a first date.
Arrange your own transport so you can leave whenever you want to.

Tell someone

Share your plans with a trusted friend or family member: who you're meeting, where, and when.
Use a location-sharing feature on your phone for the duration of the date.
Check in with someone afterwards to confirm you're home safely.

Know your limits

Drink in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Don't feel pressured to do anything — emotional, physical, or financial — that you're not comfortable with.

Reporting concerns

If a user breaks our community rules or makes you feel unsafe, please report them through the app or contact us at safety@linkup.co.za. In an emergency, contact the South African Police Service on 10111.

Useful South African helplines

South African Police Service (SAPS): 10111
Gender-Based Violence Command Centre: 0800 428 428
Lifeline South Africa: 0861 322 322
Childline South Africa: 116

We are continually improving our safety features. If you have feedback or ideas for how we can do better, please get in touch — we read every message.