Facebook delays dating feature after Irish watchdog inspection

Social media giant had given only ten days’ notice of plan to introduce service in Europe

Facebook said that it was “taking a bit more time to make sure the product is ready for the European market”. Picture: NurPhoto via Getty Images

Facebook has put a new dating feature on hold in Europe after the Irish Data Protection Commissioner inspected the tech giant’s offices in Ireland over privacy concerns.

The watchdog carried out on-site inspections in Dublin this week to seek more details after Facebook only informed it on February 3 of its plan to introduce the service across the European Union tomorrow.

“Facebook Ireland informed us last night that they have postponed the roll-out of this ...