Tinder has introduced a new mandatory facial verification system for all new users. The feature, called Face Check, aims to fight the rise of fake profiles and romance scams that have long plagued dating platforms. According to information gathered by TechMarge, Tinder described the tool as a first-of-its-kind innovation designed to confirm that users are real and that their profile photos match their actual appearance. The company said it wants to strengthen trust, reduce impersonation, and set a higher standard of authenticity in online dating.
Spencer Rascoff, Head of Trust and Safety at Match Group, Tinder’s parent company, said Face Check solves one of the toughest problems online, proving whether someone is real. He explained that the new system works seamlessly for genuine users while presenting tough barriers for fraudsters. Rascoff believes the new technology sets a new benchmark for trust and safety across the dating industry.
Tinder has already deployed Face Check in countries such as Colombia, Canada, Australia, India, and several parts of Southeast Asia. With the feature now active in the United States, Tinder plans to expand it globally wherever local data laws allow. This launch represents Tinder’s attempt to redefine how dating apps operate, making connections safer and more authentic by integrating stronger security tools to combat online deception and romance scams.
The company defines “bad actors” as individuals or automated accounts involved in scams, spamming, or impersonation. Tinder’s content moderation currently focuses heavily on these behaviors, addressing nearly all reported cases of fake accounts and scams. Since rolling out Face Check alongside other safety tools, Tinder has seen more than a 60% drop in users’ exposure to harmful accounts and a 40% reduction in scam-related reports. According to Rascoff, this shows how much more effective the company has become in fighting abuse. “People can change their numbers or devices,” he said, “but they can’t change their face.”
Before now, Tinder allowed voluntary verification. Users could confirm their identity through a selfie or by uploading an ID. Some other dating apps also use similar facial recognition systems, but most make it optional. Tinder’s shift to mandatory verification for new users marks a major change in the industry.
Addressing concerns about existing fake accounts, Tinder said that while Face Check currently applies only to new users, the technology remains its strongest weapon against the mass creation of fake profiles. The company believes the larger problem lies in people repeatedly creating new fraudulent accounts, not necessarily the old ones.
Since launching in 2012, Tinder has grown into one of the most popular dating apps worldwide. It has recorded over 630 million downloads and more than 100 billion matches across 190 countries and in over 45 languages.
Face Check works during the sign-up process. New users must take a short video selfie within the app, which the system uses to confirm that the person is real and physically present. If the video matches the photos on the user’s profile, Tinder awards a “Photo Verified” badge as proof of authenticity. The feature also spots when the same face appears on multiple accounts, blocking impersonation and fake identities.
According to information gathered by TechMarge, the process doesn’t save a photo of users’ faces. Instead, it records an encrypted facial map, a mathematical representation of key features. Yoel Roth, Head of Trust and Safety at Match Group, explained that the system converts facial data into a digital hash, not a picture. Tinder then compares these hashes to detect duplicate sign-ups. He added that even if someone accessed the stored data, they wouldn’t be able to reconstruct anyone’s face or image from it.
The growing threat of online romance scams continues to trouble users and tech companies alike. A Barclays report revealed that in the first quarter of 2025, romance scams rose by 20% compared to the previous year. Many scammers now use advanced technologies, including generative AI and deepfake videos, to deceive victims more convincingly. These new tactics blur the line between genuine connections and fraudulent ones, making it harder for people to identify scams before falling victim.
In Nigeria, authorities are also stepping up their response to online fraud. In early October, the Senate considered a bill to amend the Passport Act. The amendment would impose strict penalties on Nigerians convicted of crimes abroad, including revoking their international passports for at least ten years. Lawmakers hope the move will deter people from engaging in cross-border romance and financial scams that have damaged the country’s global reputation.
Tinder’s new verification system signals a shift toward a more transparent digital dating culture. By linking authenticity directly to identity, the company aims to create a safer environment for users around the world. As online relationships continue to evolve, the battle against digital deception grows more complex. With innovations like Face Check, Tinder is trying to stay one step ahead—proving that in modern dating, trust begins with a real face.
