Tinder on Friday, June 4, US time, announced it would be introducing a way to block users’ phone numbers that would prevent these users from showing up on the match-swiping page and vice versa.

Once the feature rolls out, users will be able to add phone numbers to a “Block Contacts” list found under settings. The app, however, said that unwanted users may still appear if they used a phone number different from the one that had been put in the block list. Tinder requires a phone number for use.

Tinder, on its post, noted the awkwardness that may sometimes occur when a user sees someone they personally know on the app. In a survey, it said that about 40% came across an ex, 24% have seen a family member or colleague, and 10% have seen their professor on the app. “Awkward,” said Tinder. About 78% of those surveyed said they would rather not see these kinds of contacts in the app.

Tinder also presented other interesting figures in its post, calling the prospect of a post-pandemic summer in the West as 2021’s “Great Uncuffing.” In the same survey, it found that 40% would consider breaking things off with a partner ahead of summertime. Over half of Gen Z respondents also reportedly had broken up with their “pandemic partners” this year.

“We may not be able to save you from awkward run-ins at the coffee shop, but we are giving you more control over your experience on Tinder,” said Bernadette Morgan, group product manager, trust and safety at Tinder.

The Block Contacts feature was initially tested in India, Korea and Japan, with users who adopt it averaging about a dozen contacts in their block list. – Rappler.com