Privacy vs. protection: Warnings about profiles for convicted killers on dating apps raise concerns

CTV News

4 days ago

Several recent social media posts are warning women about convicted killers who are allegedly active on dating websites or in community groups in Alberta, but it's sparking debate between safety concerns and privacy protections. (FILE PHOTO: Refat/Shutterstock)
Several recent social media posts are warning women about convicted killers who are allegedly active on dating websites or in community groups in Alberta, but it's sparking debate between safety concerns and privacy protections.
The Women on Wings Society posted to Facebook about a man who was convicted of manslaughter for strangling his spouse, a mother of two, in Calgary.
'Please beware ladies!' the post reads.
The victim's mother, Peggy Mitchell, worries about women who may end up on a date with her daughter's killer without knowing about his violent history.
'I do worry because, to me, people don't change,' she said.
'Scary. Anyone that has been charged or incarcerated for causing bodily harm or causing death, they really should come with a warning.'
Maj Osman, the president of the Women on Wings Society, says she shares those same concerns, which is why she posted the warning.
'If these women are not fully aware of the background of these men who are on these dating sites or who they are meeting, there's a lot of potential for danger,' she said.
However, criminal defence lawyer Balfour Der said once people serve their debt to society, they are entitled to the same freedoms as anyone else.
'Once they are done, they're done,' he said.
'They are entitled to all the rights and privileges of any other Canadian.'
Der said Canada's criminal justice system is built around the value of rehabilitation and should be respected.
'I'm just so tired of this—people being so cowardly on social media, where they don't have to give their names, just to go on and basically try again to ruin someone's life.'
Mitchell disagrees and says these types of online warnings reflect a flawed justice system.
'He gets eight years or whatever, and he served his time. Me, her kids, her family—we get life. We get life without her.'
Social media posts have also been circulating online about a man convicted of second-degree murder after strangling a woman in B.C.
Several posts warn that he's active on dating apps, and a Facebook hiking group also warns he's part of a Calgary trail running community.
'So, you can run into him in the mountains. I actually have on Prairie Mountain two weeks ago. Just something to be aware of,' wrote an anonymous user.
Lost Souls Media has also shared his picture and story online to warn others he lives in Calgary.
'I think that's hugely concerning,' said Mike Lukiw, who believes Canada should have stricter prison sentences for offenders of violent crimes.
'How did he serve his time? He was sentenced to life in prison and did seven years. He didn't serve his time.'
CTV News is not identifying the men because while efforts were made to contact both to confirm the profiles are theirs and not fakes, we did not hear back.
Justice expert concerned with vigilante action
These types of warning posts are concerning for Mount Royal University justice studies professor Doug King, who says people risk wrongly identifying someone or that the alerts could lead to vigilantism.
'There have been lots of cases where individuals have misidentified someone, done harm to the person they've misidentified and then faced criminal charges themselves. It's really rolling the dice, and I don't think they should be doing that,' King said.
King said people should speak to police if they are concerned about community safety.
Police provide dating safety tips
The Calgary Police Service encourages anyone starting a new intimate relationship, regardless of how they met, to take the following precautions for safety:
Meet for the first time in public and inform a trusted friend or family member of your plans;
Try and verify the person you are meeting is who they say they are;
Protect your personal information and avoid sharing sensitive details about yourself, including your address and financial information; and
Trust your gut. If something feels off, don't hesitate to end the interaction.
Police also encourage people to utilize Clare's Law, which allows officers to disclose if a person is at an elevated risk of domestic violence from their partner.
In 2024, 196 requests for Clare's Law were made to the service.
To view Clare's Law criteria and to make an application, visit https://www.alberta.ca/clares-law.aspx.