Yes, though thinking privacy first the site wouldn't use any cookies until you sign up and want to login. That's where the user should be asked for consent because the cookie is actually providing value for the user.
> global internet age need to have any national associations
Generally I agree, in this specific case I don't. Germany has a strong brand around quality engineering, privacy and data security which is the main reason I'd emphasize it. Also in the EU strong voices are starting to emerge that are asking for a "local"/EU digital ecosystem since the US one based on data collection and ads is hard to regulate.
While they are allies Germany is a sovereign country with it's very own (extremely) strict privacy laws (pre and post GDPR) that ask/require companies to implement what is called "Datensparsamkeit" - principle of data parsimony.
That being said it would be implemented privacy first anyway. If you trust the ~tech behind signal you can trust this network.
Just to clarify: Germany is not part of the five eyes [1].
Nonetheless I'd build it privacy first so the network/company doesn't even have access to most user data. -> E2E asymmetrical encryption where the network does not have access to any of the private keys. Think Signal for social networks.
Moderation will be an issue this way but I'd want to limit individual reach by design to make it very real world contact focused. Kind of like contacts work in Signal/WhatsApp/etc.
Initial cost will be more than covered from the $1 verification fee. Once growth stagnates that will depend highly on the user base. I could see it being a freemium model with a subscription for additional features (like Tinder Plus/Pro).
> global internet age need to have any national associations Generally I agree, in this specific case I don't. Germany has a strong brand around quality engineering, privacy and data security which is the main reason I'd emphasize it. Also in the EU strong voices are starting to emerge that are asking for a "local"/EU digital ecosystem since the US one based on data collection and ads is hard to regulate.