Dating is a free software issue (opens in new tab)

I had an idea for a dating / social app. Using activity pub. The whole dating app scene, could do without monetary incentive.

Keeping inactive profiles present to pad results. Lack of filtration on message receival. Keeping people on via swiping etc.

The applications feel like they're geared more as a game. Keeping people on the apps. I've heard the same frustrations over and over from people. I've even heard similar pitch ideas. Then the question of how to monetize it comes up.

I'm not generally a free software only person. But I think that a public space for socialization and meeting people online. Should be free on monetization, or incentive of money.

I had thought of a torrented, shared db within a local region. With a few central nodes, eliminating hosting costs. This is just filed away as one of my fun projects.

There's a certain point where I ask: Would an FSF enthusiast be interested in dating someone who signed up via a proprietary app, or would they be looking to date other free software enthusiasts who were also looking for people without using a proprietary app?

It can be really challenging to deal with a significant other without using the same apps they do, if they have chat apps they use, social networks they're on, or money transfer apps they like, you can regularly run into a "well, my phone can't use that app" situation.

I’m thoroughly confused as to what state of the world one envisions as the alternative and how that would function. I understand an argument against purely a philosophical justification for proprietary software and no open access. But the practical reality of modern societies and Capitalism is that the closed source nature of many services / software brings many positive benefits to society and in some case is necessary for that platform’s very existence.