Facebook is testing new video speed dating app called ‘Sparked’

App reportedly emphasises ‘kindness’ and ‘positive dating experience’ between users

Smartphone screen displaying Facebook logo on a Facebook website background (AFP via Getty Images)

Facebook is testing a new video speed dating app called Sparked which emphasises ‘kindness’ and a ‘positive dating experience’ between users.

Developed by the social media giant’s New Product Experimentation (NPE) team, the app requires users to have a Facebook profile, The Verge reported.

The app requires users to type out what makes them a kind dater when signing up, and these responses will reportedly be “reviewed by a human at Sparked” before people can go on the video dates.

The social media giant noted that Sparked would not contain any public profiles, or swiping, or DMs, and is likely to be free to use.

Users also have to choose whether they want to date men, women, or nonbinary people, according to The Verge which reportedly accessed the app’s website.

The app also reportedly asks users if they are open to dating trans people.

While it is expected to cycle people through 4-minute long speed video dates, it is unclear how many such dates a person would go on in a single event.

According to the Sparked website, as accessed by The Verge, if users have a great time, it would schedule them again for a 10-minute second date.

TechCrunch reported that the app is currently undergoing a beta test to generate insights on how video dating could work to improve people’s experiences with Facebook products.

Sparked reportedly encourages users to “take it from there”, and meet elsewhere online, such as in Instagram – another app owned by Facebook.

At the time of writing, the website is inaccessible, and the app is not available for download on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

It is also unclear whether people would have to attend events organised by Sparked via its browser to get access to the app.

However, the social media giant has confirmed that the app exists and that it is currently in a “small external beta test phase.”