Tinder is Rolling Out ID Verification Feature to New Countries

Tinder is expanding its AI-powered ID Verification feature to the U.S., U.K., Brazil, and Mexico, making it available by this summer.

According to the company’s press release, the new safety feature requires users to upload a video selfie and a valid Driver’s License or Passport. The AI-powered feature will then check to see if the face in the video selfie matches both the photo ID and the user’s profile photos, and will check the date of birth on the official ID.

The new feature adds another layer of security to using Photo Verification alone, where video selfies are compared to photos. Now, the official ID is also checked as part of the process.

How to Scan Your ID on Tinder

Image: tinder

When a user completes the new ID verification, they receive a blue ID icon badge, and when they complete both Photo Verification and ID Verification, they receive a blue checkmark which will be added to their profile. Those who only complete Photo Verification receive a blue camera icon badge, accorrding to the release.

The feature will be available on the Profile screen.

“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," said Pamela Zaballa, CEO of NO MORE, a non-profit dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault, in the company’s press release.

Tinder piloted the new ID Verification feature in Australia and New Zealand last year, and found that the users who completed the process and received their blue checkmark saw a 67 percent increase in matches. Tinder originally launched the feature in Japan in 2019, where ID verification was required by law.

Match Group is looking at ways to use AI technology for both enhancing the app experience and also creating a safer experience for users. Fake profiles and scammers have always been a challenge for dating apps, and ID verification offers the latest effort to try and curb the problem.

“We believe ID Verification is an important tool users can adopt to help prove they are the person in their photos as well as help provide some peace of mind when deciding to meet someone off the app,” said Ted Bunch, Chief Development Officer, A Call To Men, a non-profit that offers training and resources that help men grow into “healthy manhood” and to be loving and respectful of women. He goes on to say: “By giving this option to more users, Tinder is giving users more choice and options in how they connect and ultimately feel safer when exploring new connections.”