Tinder Expands Identity Verification Program to U.S., U.K., Brazil and Mexico
Tinder’s latest announcement brings good news to users in the U.S., U.K., Brazil, and Mexico. The popular dating app is expanding its identity verification program to these countries, providing an additional layer of security for its users.
The verification process allows users to confirm the authenticity of their profiles, ensuring they receive a blue verified checkmark. This feature will be available in the U.S. and Mexico by summer, followed by the U.K. and Brazil by spring.
This expansion comes at a time when distinguishing between what’s real and what’s fake has become increasingly difficult due to advancements in artificial intelligence. It also aligns with The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) report from last year, which revealed that romance scams caused victims to lose a total of $1.3 billion, with a median loss of $4,400.
Tinder first launched its identity verification program in Australia and New Zealand last fall. The company’s findings showed that users who completed the ID Verification option experienced a 67% increase in matches compared to those who didn’t verify their identity.
To get verified on the app, users are required to provide a video selfie and a valid driver’s license or passport. A third-party vendor will then verify if the face in the video matches both the ID photo and the user’s profile pictures. The process also involves checking the date of birth on the ID.
It’s important to note that the ID Verification tool is different from Tinder’s Photo Verification feature, which allows users to prove they are not a bot or a catfish. Initially, Photo Verification required users to take photos of themselves following specific instructions. However, last year, Tinder upgraded the process by replacing photos with video selfies.
Tinder now offers a blue camera icon badge for users who complete Photo Verification, a blue ID icon badge for those who complete ID Verification, and a blue checkmark for users who complete both processes.
By adding ID verification to its platform, Tinder aims to help users feel more confident that they are talking to a real person rather than a scammer or a fake profile.
This announcement may not come as a surprise, as Tinder had already announced its plan to make voluntary ID Verification available globally back in 2021. The company has been working on developing this feature for years and initially launched it in Japan in 2019, where verification is mandatory by law. With the rise of AI scams and romance scams, it makes sense for Tinder to expand its ID verification to more countries.
