Consent is not optional - and neither is your block list

Trust is everything when you're navigating the chaos, charm, and emotional calculus of online dating. You're putting yourself out there, sometimes in small ways, sometimes in big, vulnerable, swipe-right-on-your-ex situations. So when you decide to block someone, it’s not a suggestion. It’s a boundary. A decision made to protect your peace, your safety, and your emotional space.

Which is why it’s deeply unsettling to hear that some platforms don’t actually honour that choice.

Lately, there have been reports of dating apps continuing to surface blocked profiles. Recycled matches. Familiar faces you deliberately chose to avoid. When users push back, they’re told it’s “just in case you change your mind” or blamed on the blocked person creating a new account. But let’s be clear. That’s not just a technical issue. That’s a consent issue.

At HUD App, we believe your boundaries deserve real respect. When you block someone on HUD App, they’re blocked. End of story. They don’t reappear unless you make the choice to unblock them. That choice stays with you. Always.

Our Community Experience Manager Amanda put it best: “I'm proud to say there is no recycling of blocked profiles here!”

And if someone tries to dodge the system by creating new accounts, we take it seriously. Our Customer Service team monitors for patterns, and if someone repeatedly violates another user’s boundaries, they’re permanently blocked. No loopholes. No second chances at access.

For women in particular, blocking isn’t about convenience. It’s about safety. Whether it’s avoiding an ex, steering clear of a person who gave you the ick, or protecting yourself from someone who crossed a line, the ability to block someone and trust that they’ll stay gone is fundamental.

Boundaries aren't optional. Consent isn't conditional. At HUD App, we’re proud to build a dating space where your decisions are honoured and your safety comes first.

Asked and Answered

When you block someone on a dating app, what should happen?

They should disappear from your feed permanently — no cooldown period, no reappearance. Blocked users shouldn't be able to see your profile, send messages, or appear in matches again. HUD's block feature works exactly this way: when you block someone, they stay blocked.

Is blocking someone on a dating app the same as reporting them?

No — they're separate actions. Blocking stops that person from interacting with you. Reporting flags their behaviour to the app's moderation team for review, which can lead to warnings or removal. For serious or dangerous behaviour, you should do both.

Why does blocking matter for consent?

Blocking is a boundary. Choosing not to interact with someone is a clear signal that contact is unwanted. An app that allows blocked profiles to reappear is effectively overriding that boundary. Consent in dating apps isn't just about messages and photos; it extends to who gets to see you and reach you in the first place.