Tinder is broadening its identity verification program to encompass users in the U.S., U.K., Brazil, and Mexico, as announced by the company on Tuesday. This program acts as an additional measure for users to validate the authenticity of their profiles on the dating platform and attain a blue verified checkmark. Tinder aims to roll out this feature in the U.S. and Mexico by summer, followed by the U.K. and Brazil by spring.
The expansion of this feature arrives at a time when distinguishing between real and fake content is increasingly challenging due to advancements in artificial intelligence. Additionally, it coincides with findings from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year, revealing that romance scams incurred losses of $1.3 billion in 2022, with a median reported loss of $4,400.
Tinder initially trialed the identity verification program last fall in Australia and New Zealand. During this pilot phase, the company observed that users who completed the ID Verification process experienced a 67% increase in matches compared to those who remained unverified.
To undergo identity verification within the app, users must submit a video selfie along with a valid driver’s license or passport. A third-party vendor will then verify whether the face in the video selfie matches both the photo on the ID and the individual’s profile pictures. Additionally, the verification process will verify the date of birth provided on the ID.
The ID Verification tool offered by Tinder is distinct from its Photo Verification feature, which enables users to demonstrate that they’re genuine individuals rather than bots or catfish. Initially, Tinder’s Photo Verification required users to submit photos of themselves following specific posing instructions to attain verification on the dating platform. However, last year, Tinder enhanced the process by replacing photos with video selfies.
Tinder now distinguishes between users who have completed Photo Verification and those who have undergone ID Verification. Users who solely complete Photo Verification will receive a blue camera icon badge, while those who exclusively complete ID Verification will receive a blue ID icon badge. Users who complete both processes will be granted a blue checkmark badge.
The addition of ID verification to the dating app aims to instill confidence in users that they’re engaging with genuine individuals rather than scammers or catfish.
While today’s announcement may not be surprising, Tinder had previously revealed its intention to globally introduce voluntary ID Verification in 2021. The company has been refining its identity verification tool for several years, launching it initially in Japan in 2019, where verification is legally mandated. Given the rise in AI scams and romance scams, expanding ID verification to more countries aligns with Tinder’s efforts to enhance user safety and trust.