What Is VioletDates? Who Runs It and How It Charges

What VioletDates is

VioletDates describes itself as "an online communication platform, which aims to help people from different countries communicate" [1]. Registering and searching are free. Chatting is not [2].

Who runs it

The terms name Dragalinos Limited, with an address at Leon House, Gibraltar [2]. Gibraltar's company register charges for searches, so we could not view the company's registration details [4]. The terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. They require disputes to go to binding individual arbitration and include a waiver of class actions [2].

How it charges

VioletDates uses credits, a virtual currency you buy with real money, in most cases in US dollars [2][3]. Letters, virtual gifts, stickers, photos and videos are charged each time you use them. Chat is charged per minute [2][3]. "Chat Gems", one per minute of chat, are used before credits [3].

There is no public price list. The terms say prices are shown on your profile page or on the page of each paid feature [2]. We found no subscription or automatic renewal in its terms or payment policy: you buy credits when you want them [3].

What its terms say about profiles and messages

• The terms say the platform "is designed for entertainment" [2].
• The site may send the same opening messages ("Icebreakers") to members it matches at random [2].
• It makes no promise that you will find a relationship, and it says some members "might seek attention, or even online recognition and popularity" [2].
• Members cannot share contact details in their profiles. You can ask for another member's contact details under certain conditions, with their consent [2].
• "Top Users" may use paid features free of charge [2].
• Chat can be translated automatically, and the terms warn that translations may contain errors [2].

Refunds and closing your account

Most purchases, including credits on your balance, are not refundable [3]. In the EU and EEA, if you withdraw within 14 days of registering, unspent credits are refunded [3]. Other refunds of unspent credits worth more than USD 20 are at the site's discretion, for example after a purchase made by mistake [3]. To close your account, the terms say to email support@violetdates.help. Accounts inactive for three months may be closed [2].

Apps and regulators

We found no VioletDates app on the App Store or Google Play. Searches of the US Federal Trade Commission, the UK Advertising Standards Authority and general searches for court or regulator action found nothing naming VioletDates or Dragalinos Limited.