Tinder to Roll Out Voluntary ID Verification Globally

Tinder to Introduce ID Verification for Users

Tinder has announced plans to implement ID verification for its users in the “coming quarters.” This functionality was initially tested in 2019 within Japan, where verifying age as 18 or older is a mandatory requirement.

Outside of legally mandated regions, such as Japan, ID verification will initially be offered on a voluntary basis, as stated in a recent Tinder blog post.

Free Verification and Data Cross-Referencing

The ID verification process will be available to all users at no cost, mirroring the existing photo verification feature. A Tinder representative confirmed that the collected ID information will be utilized to compare against publicly accessible sex offender registries.

Currently, Tinder performs similar checks through credit card details when users subscribe to premium services. The company’s terms of use stipulate that users must not have been convicted of a felony, a sex crime, or any violent offense, and must not be legally required to register as a sex offender.

Distinguishing Verification Badges

The photo verification feature currently displays a blue checkmark on user profiles. ID verification will be indicated by a separate, unique badge.

This dual-badge system will allow users to easily determine whether a potential match has verified their identity through photo verification, ID verification, or both.

Commitment to a Fair Verification Process

“Developing a truly equitable solution for ID Verification presents a significant, yet crucial, safety challenge,” the company stated. “We are actively seeking input from our user communities and industry experts to guide our approach.”

Garbo and Background Checks

While Tinder continues to invest in safety measures, the effectiveness of voluntary ID verification is limited. In March 2021, Match Group, Tinder’s parent company, pledged a seven-figure investment to Garbo, a nonprofit background check company.

Garbo’s background checks aim to identify users with a history of violence or abuse, though integration with Tinder remains to be seen, as does the potential cost to users.

Notably, Garbo employs “equitable background” checks, excluding data related to drug possession and minor traffic violations, acknowledging the disproportionate impact of these charges on marginalized groups.

Although Tinder clarified it won’t be utilizing Garbo’s technology for its ID verification tools, the company indicated it will share further details regarding Garbo-powered background checks later in the year.

The question of whether access to Garbo’s information will require a fee remains unanswered. Match Group previously stated that pricing, if implemented, would be determined by factors such as user adoption and search volume.

Past Scrutiny and Regulatory Pressure

Tinder’s safety investments are positive, but their impact could be diminished if access to crucial information is restricted by a paywall.

Match Group faced criticism in December 2019 following an investigation by Columbia Journalism Investigations (CJI) and ProPublica, which revealed that sexual predator screening was only conducted on the paid service, Match, but not on free apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and PlentyofFish.

A company spokesperson acknowledged at the time that “registered sex offenders are present on our free products.”

Government Investigations

In January 2020, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) initiated an investigation into the safety policies of dating apps, sending inquiries to Match Group, The Meet Group, Bumble, and Grindr.

He argued that “protection from sexual predators should not be a privilege reserved for paying customers.”

Subsequently, Representatives Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with nine other representatives, expressed concern in a letter to Match Group regarding the lack of cross-referencing of user data with sex offender registries.

Investments in User Safety

Around this period, Match Group increased its investments in user safety, including the acquisition of Noonlight in January 2020.

Noonlight allows users in the U.S. to share their meeting details – who, when, and where – with trusted contacts.

In emergency situations, users can discreetly activate emergency services; Noonlight will first attempt to contact the user before contacting 911 if necessary. While the basic version of Noonlight is free, certain features require a subscription of $5 or $10 per month.

While features like these can be debated due to concerns about police involvement, they may offer some users a greater sense of security. However, preventing offenders from joining the platform in the first place could reduce the need for such interventions.