CLEVELAND — You might have heard about the app DonaldDaters, but did you know the founder was from Cleveland?
Emily Moreno launched the dating app in October.
"I created Donald Daters out of a need. Republicans - and specifically Trump supporters - are pushed out of the mainstream dating scene simply based on who they chose to support for President in 2016. I heard countless stories from my friends about how they either had to censor themselves or lie. Neither makes for the start of a good relationship, by the way. So I figured I could feel bad for them or do something about it,” Moreno said in an email.
"Trump supporters want to participate in the regular, mainstream dating scene," she said. "Politics should be an icebreaker rather than a deal breaker. However, the new Left has made it impossible for Trump supporters to go to the Apple store, out to dinner and even feel unsafe in their house."
Moreno said this app is tailored to those that feel alienated from other dating apps.
“You are not going to find love simply swiping left and right by looking at one picture,” Moreno said.
Donald Daters is available for free on the app store for anyone who is older than 18.
Moreno said users from all over the country have downloaded the app, including in Cleveland.
There are two different versions of the app – the "freemium," where users receive 25 curated matches a day. After two people match each other, they are able to message that other user for free. The premium version of the app gives users more matches a day, the ability to see who liked their photos, message users that they haven’t matched with yet.
The company did undergo a security breach after the launch, but Moreno said that problem has been fixed.
"We immediately corrected the issue - we even got a shout out on Twitter by the security expert that pointed out a security breach. We also hired a third-party team to pressure test our application to make sure that our users were safe from outside sources. We are confident that we are protecting our users and will continue to do our best to continue providing a safe, fun and loving platform for users to find their RIGHT match. However, it is important to note that at no point in the reported security breach was any personal, sensitive information released or exposed such as phone numbers of credit cards. In fact, we do not store credit card numbers as all purchases go directly to the Apple or Google store,” Moreno said.
While some of the reaction she has received is positive, there has also been some hate.
“I have been called every name in the book since launching DonaldDaters. But, when they go low we get downloads,” Moreno said.
