Tinder will require new users in the US to verify their identity with a selfie

In a significant move to enhance user safety, Tinder has announced the expansion of its facial verification feature, known as Face Check, to new users in the United States. This feature requires individuals to submit a brief video selfie to confirm their identity, aiming to combat impersonation and ensure that users are connecting with real people rather than bots or fake accounts. The Face Check technology creates a 3D video scan of the user’s face to compare it against their profile pictures. Users who successfully complete this verification process receive a badge on their profiles, signifying their verified status. The system also has the capability to detect if the same face appears on multiple accounts, adding another layer of protection against impersonation and fraudulent profiles. Tinder assures users that their video selfies will be deleted shortly after the verification process, although the company retains a non-reversible, encrypted face map and face vector. This data is utilized to verify new photos, identify fraudulent activity, and prevent users from creating duplicate accounts. The Face Check feature has been operational in California since June and has already been rolled out in various countries, including Colombia, Canada, Australia, India, and several Southeast Asian nations. Additional U.S. states will receive this feature in the upcoming months, with plans to implement it across other dating platforms owned by Match Group in 2026. Tinder has been grappling with user retention issues, particularly concerning safety and privacy concerns, leading to a decrease in its user base. The company reported a 7% drop in paying users during the second quarter of 2025. However, Tinder claims that the introduction of Face Check has yielded promising results, including a 60% reduction in exposure to potential 'bad actors' and a 40% decrease in reports of such individuals. Other companies, including Meta and Bumble, are also adopting similar facial recognition technologies to enhance security and user verification processes.