Tinder to expand ID verification globally

Tinder has tested ID verification in Japan since 2019, and the company, which is part of the Match group, said it would use the lessons from the Japan pilot when rolling out the feature globally over the next few financial quarters.

ID verification will initially be voluntary, except in countries where it would be legally mandated, and Tinder said the feature would take into consideration recommendations from privacy professionals and feedback from Tinder members.

Tinder added that it would also determine what documents are most appropriate for ID verification according to each country based on local laws and regulations.

The introduction of ID verification follows concerns over fake accounts on the dating app, which has been downloaded more than 450 million times globally and is available in 190 countries.

Tinder has previously launched features such as photo verification and face-to-face video chat to reduce anonymity between dating matches on the app, and has also announced it will integrate with Garbo, a female-founded non-profit background check platform.

Rory Kozoll, head of trust and safety product at Tinder, said: “ID verification is complex and nuanced, which is why we are taking a test-and-learn approach to the rollout.

“We know one of the most valuable things Tinder can do to make members feel safe is to give them more confidence that their matches are authentic and more control over who they interact with. We look forward to a day when as many people as possible are verified on Tinder.”