DateableMyth: blocking someone erases what they already have
Blocking stops them on Dateable, but screenshots, your number and saved photos stay. Revoke private album access and change vulnerable details.
Blocking stops someone from finding you or messaging you on Dateable from now on. It does not erase the screenshots they took, your phone number, or the photos they saved before you blocked them. Once they have something, blocking cannot take it back.
What blocking does on Dateable
When you block someone on Dateable, they cannot search for your profile, see your listings or messages, or apply to your Board invitations. If they try to message you, the message fails to send. You do not see their name on your blocked list unless you open it: blocking is quiet.
Blocking is immediate. It takes effect the moment you press the button. The person does not get a notification that you blocked them.
What they can still use
Blocking stops them on Dateable only. It does not touch anything they saved before the block:
- Screenshots of your photos, your profile text or your messages
- Your phone number or email, if you shared it
- Photos of you they saved from your profile or private album
- Messages you sent before the block
- Information you told them about yourself
The key word is before. Anything they got from you before you block them stays with them.
Revoke private album access
If you shared your private photo album with them, blocking does not remove their access. You have to revoke it yourself.
On Dateable, you grant or revoke private album access per person from their profile, even after you block them. If you shared private photos with someone and later want to cut off their access, do not just block: open their profile, revoke the album access first, then block.
If you cannot open their profile because they are blocked, unblock them long enough to revoke, then block again. It takes one tap.
Change the details you shared with them
Blocking them does not change your phone number, your real name, or the personal details you gave them. If they have your second number and know your name, those stay the same after the block.
If you are worried about what they know, change the vulnerable ones. A second number used for dating can be disconnected or replaced. A password you shared can be changed. If they know your work address or the school your child attends, those are harder to change, but you can take precautions: check who is in your location history, look at your social media privacy settings, and think about what you have told close friends.
If they misuse what they kept
Blocking is not the end. If they use what they have to harass you, threaten you, or share intimate images without consent, that is abuse, and it is criminal.
The moment you realise they are misusing what they kept, do two things. First, stop engaging: do not reply to messages, do not negotiate, do not ask them to delete the images. Engagement gives scammers energy and confidence. Second, report it.
Report the abuse to Dateable. It takes seconds, and our team reviews every report. Report it to police. Report it to the platform where they are using the content: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, wherever they are sharing or threatening to share. Each platform has a abuse reporting tool. Use it.
If they threaten to share intimate images without your consent, this is image-based abuse 1. Do not pay them money or send more images. The only move is to report and block. If you are in Australia, contact the eSafety Commissioner 1. In the UK, the Revenge Porn Helpline has trained advisors who know how to get images removed 2.
If they are stalking or harassing you using information they have, that is also a crime. Contact police on 131 444 (Victoria) or 999 (UK) or your local non-emergency line. In New Zealand, call 105. Tell them what they have, how they got it, and what they have done with it since.
If you have been sexually assaulted or coerced, go to a hospital or sexual assault service. In Australia, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), 24 hours. In the UK, call 0808 802 0300 or 999 in an emergency. In New Zealand, 1737 is free and confidential, 24/7.
These are crimes. You are not responsible for what they do with what they have, but reporting it gives police a record and may stop them targeting others. If something goes wrong, you do not have to handle it alone.
I have blocked you, but if you share any photos or messages we exchanged, I will report you to police.
Send this if they contact you after the block, or if they threaten to share content. It tells them you know what is illegal and you are serious about it. It is also evidence if you need to report them.
Before the block
The best time to protect yourself is before you block. Think about what they have, what it could be used for, and what you can change. You control your private photos: use the album access feature to share only with people you trust. You control what you tell them: real names, workplaces and children's names stay private until you are sure. You can change a second number any time.
Blocking stops them on Dateable. Everything else is up to you.
Sources
- eSafety Commissioner (2026). Image-based abuse (including revenge porn, sextortion and nude image blackmail).
- Revenge Porn Helpline (SWGfL) (2026). Revenge Porn Helpline.
