Tinder Wants More Users Verified With Facial Recognition

Tinder is expanding its use of selfie-based identity verification to more regions, the online dating platform has announced. The company first started piloting its “ID Verification” system in Australia and New Zealand last year, and is now planning to bring it to the UK and Brazil by this spring, and to the US and Mexico by summer.

It’s a complement to a “Photo Verification” feature that Tinder rolled out in the spring of 2023, which asked users to record a video selfie, and then used facial recognition to make sure that they matched the photos they were uploading to the platform. The feature was not meant to verify anyone’s identity, but to fight catfishing scams by making sure that a given user’s actual appearance lined up with the photos shared on their profile.

“ID Verification” takes things a step further by using facial recognition technology to match an end user to images of their physical ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Whereas users who completed Photo Verification get a blue camera icon badge to indicate their status, those who complete ID Verification will get a blue ID icon. Users who complete both steps get a blue checkmark.

Representatives of advocacy groups campaigning against sexual violence have praised Tinder’s move. Ted Bunch, the Chief Development Officer of A Call To Men, said the ID Verification system gives users “more choice and options in how they connect and ultimately feel safer when exploring new connections.”

“People want to feel safe and confident when connecting and communicating with their matches, and we applaud Tinder for giving users this additional option to help confirm their match is the person in their profile,” added Pamela Zaballa, the CEO of NO MORE.

Beyond enhancing user safety, the new ID Verification feature can help users to get dates. According to Tinder, participants in last year’s pilots in Australia and New Zealand saw a 67 percent increase in their matches, compared to those who didn’t go through the identity verification process.

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(Originally published on Mobile ID World)