“We want to break down the barriers that exist between people due to a lack of technology or funds.” A free online dating site for students is being set up at FIT

Today’s online dating apps are capable of connecting a huge number of people. However, their business model requires users to return to the app and spend as much time on it as possible. It was precisely this dissatisfaction with this approach that motivated a pair of students from the Faculty of Information Technology at Brno University of Technology, who came up with the Brndr project – a non-profit student online dating platform free from adverts, paid features and algorithms based on user popularity. The ambition of Petra Obšel and Daniel Pelánek is to create an environment in which online contact is not an end in itself, but a means to genuine connection. The project also addresses the wider social issue of loneliness and the increasing difficulty of forming new relationships and making new contacts – a problem that is by no means confined to the university environment.

Brndr aims to distinguish itself from standard dating platforms primarily through a verified community, transparent matchmaking and an emphasis on privacy and security. According to the creators, users will not be limited to so-called ‘swiping’: they will be able to search for and filter profiles themselves, whilst recommendations will be based primarily on shared interests and, to some extent, on controlled randomness. Brndr does not intend to create hidden popularity rankings, nor does it plan to offer subscriptions or sell user data to advertisers. Communication is to be secure, with the ultimate goal being end-to-end message encryption (E2EE), whereby the content cannot be automatically read even by the service provider or the server. Funding is also set to be a key difference: the platform aims to remain free for users, seeking support from universities, companies and private donors.

The creators intend to test the first working version of the student dating site at Brno University of Technology. The beta version of the dating platform has been available since 6 September. It is through this beta version that the creators aim to verify whether the student community can foster a sufficiently active environment. In our interview, the creators of Brndr explain the path towards a dating platform whose aim is for people to no longer need it as soon as possible.

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What led you to the topic of dating? When did you realise that dating sites play by their own rules and that it would be nice to offer people a different approach?

Petr Obšel (PO): Dan and I were sitting on a bench by the faculty building; it was this spring. I mentioned to him that I’d set up accounts on a number of dating sites a fortnight ago and found that they work… well, let’s say strangely. I started looking into their algorithms, user prioritisation, and the fact that non-premium accounts are rarely recommended to others. I got to the point where I even took out a subscription just to see how the platform worked. I started asking others and discovered, for example, that platforms like Threads and similar ones are now being used as dating sites, where it’s almost impossible to tell a fake profile from a real one. So I said: “Dan, what if we tried making our own dating site?” We started working on it straight away.

So do you see the key problem as being the lack of transparency in existing solutions?

Daniel Pelánek (DP): Yes. Non-existent accounts, for example, are a major problem. Lots of people get disappointed and leave the app, but their content continues to be searched for and recommended by algorithms. Similarly, there’s a question mark over the economic models: revenue is generated through subscriptions and the provision of personal data. It’s therefore in the app’s interest for people to stay on it for as long as possible. And that goes directly against the aim of quick and successful matchmaking. There are also methods for categorising users based on their behaviour within the apps. There’s a whole lot of it. User verification and the generally ineffective defences against fake profiles are a whole other matter. We currently aim to verify users via school email addresses – in the next stage, we’ll move to our own verification system, which will be necessary if we want to expand Brndr to the wider population.

What about the actual matching of users: how do you approach this, and how do you aim to stand out?

PO: We’re developing a specific algorithm in collaboration with psychologists. The aim is to create a solution that can, at least to some extent, predict whether you’ll get on with another person. Simply put, to connect people who are a good match, whether as potential partners or friends. This is probably the biggest challenge we’re currently working on. At the moment, we operate on the basis of matches based on preferences and a certain degree of controlled randomness.

And what about account security? User privacy is a critical part of any system…

DP: Every Brndr user has full control over their data, and the moment they delete their account, all associated records disappear with it. We also adhere to certain coding standards and want an external agency to test them. We’ve been put in touch with OpenSSL for consultation; this is currently being sorted out. One of the main cornerstones of our platform is end-to-end encryption of communication between users.

PO: Encryption takes place directly on the user’s device; the server always receives the communication in encrypted form, without the possibility of access. There is, however, one exception. This is chat moderation when a user reports a specific message. The user then flags the messages in question, whilst also including the messages above and below them for context. Everything is encrypted using a key that is shared with the server. Moderators review the messages, followed by a request for an explanation or for further context directed at the user concerned. The specific details are currently being finalised and fine-tuned. In any case, a full description of how the app works will be available on our website. Transparency is our guiding principle.

It’s an interesting model. But what about funding for operations and development? Isn’t there a risk that, in the end, you’ll have no choice but to charge users for access?

DP: This is, of course, a critical issue. We want to operate without adverts, without membership fees, and without selling data. The key is to have enough users. Then we can approach companies for contributions. There’s also the option of voluntary, anonymous donations via ‘crowdfunding platforms’ and the like.

DP: On the financial side, I’d just like to add that we’re already grateful for the support: FIT has provided us with free hosting, which we really appreciate.

How do you intend to bring online dating into the real world? And is that even one of the project’s ambitions?

PO: It is our ambition. We have a plan, but I’d rather not comment on it just yet. It may be a bold move, but we have a goal. In any case, there’s one thing I’d like to emphasise: the Brndr project won’t be limited to personal matchmaking; it isn’t purely a dating app. We also want to help with putting together teams and projects, which could be particularly interesting for FIT, given its focus on group projects. And Brndr should help you find friends as well.

You mentioned that your long-term ambition is to offer a dating platform to the general public, not just to remain within the university environment. How do you plan to let the world know about the dating platform?

We’re launching at Brno University of Technology (VUT) and our primary audience is university students. Many of them have profiles on established dating sites and, for some mysterious reason, trust large corporations. We’re relying on an honest and fair system and the resulting word of mouth. We want to focus on large student events such as Majáles. Of course, we’ll try to approach a PR agency, which, ideally, might be able to handle the campaign pro bono. Personally, I find it a bit morally objectionable to pay for campaigns on major social media platforms, for example. We want to grow organically from within the community.

What steps lie ahead for you now? And do you have a dream goal you’d like to achieve?

PO: We’ve completed the basic user interface for the beta version and for the faculty programme Booster Challenge. What happens next will depend on the popularity of the beta version. If there’s no interest, we’re prepared for the project to simply fizzle out. As a Scout leader, I’m used to being prepared for anything… So far, our efforts and resources have mainly gone into the backend, and above all into its security. The user interface can be makeshift, but when it comes to private data, there’s no such thing as a makeshift backend.

DP: Of course, we’re keen to hear feedback from our first users, which we’ll want to incorporate quickly.

PO: Next up is the recommendation algorithm, followed by modernising the user interface.

And that ultimate goal? When will you say, ‘We’re satisfied; the project has been a success’?

PO: I’ll say that the moment people come up to me and say, ‘Brndr is brilliant; it helped me find friends or a partner.’ Basically, when I receive positive feedback and the user base keeps growing steadily. Around a thousand users sounds like a realistic target to me. And, of course, the project will need to be able to support itself.

DP: The key thing is for users to trust us as reliable creators. The community, not the product – that’s our priority.

PO: I’d just like to add that we’ve also got other projects in mind that could build on Brndr. For now, it’s all still at the idea stage. However, what characterises these projects is that they have a social dimension and aim to help break down the barriers that exist between people due to a lack of technology or finance. IT can do that today; we’re living in the 21st century.

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If you sign up and try out the beta version of the Brndr app, the developers would appreciate your feedback and insights. Email: kontakt@brndr.cz, use the in-app button to report bugs, or get in touch on Instagram @brndr.app. If you represent a company interested in supporting this student project, please use the same contact details.