Dating app Tinder will soon make identity verification available, according to a company press release.
The product will begin as voluntary except in areas where otherwise mandated by law, the release stated. Based on input the company receives, it will then evolve to make sure there’s an equitable and inclusive privacy-friendly approach for ID verification.
Tinder plans to consider expert recommendations, member input, what documents are most appropriate in every country and local laws and regulations, according to the release.
The company has debuted other security features in recent years to cut down on anonymity, increase accountability, and allow members to stay safe in general, the release stated. Some of the new features have included Photo Verification, Noonlight, and Face-to-Face video chat.
In addition, Tinder plans to integrate with Garbo, which is a background check platform founded by women, according to the release.
“ID Verification is complex and nuanced, which is why we are taking a test-and-learn approach to the rollout,” said Tinder Head of Trust and Safety Product Rory Kozoll in the release. “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. And we hope all our members worldwide will see the benefits of interacting with people who have gone through our ID verification process. We look forward to a day when as many people as possible are verified on Tinder.”
Match Group Vice President of Safety and Social Advocacy Tracey Breeden said in the release it would be tough to create a “truly equitable” ID verification solution because in several parts of the world, along with traditionally marginalized communities, people may have good reasons for not sharing their real identities.
Distinguishing fake identities on social media platforms has traditionally been tough because fraudsters can tap previously stolen information to build identities that are realistic enough to fool verification measures.
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