Tinder Adds Facial Recognition for New Users in California
▼ Summary
– Tinder is introducing a “Face Check” feature for new users in California, requiring facial recognition to verify profiles and reduce impersonation.
– The feature involves a short video selfie during signup to confirm the user is real and matches their profile photos.
– Users who pass the check receive a verified badge, while Tinder deletes the selfie video but stores an encrypted face map for future duplicate detection.
– Face Check is already in use in Colombia and Canada, expanding its rollout to California.
– The feature is separate from Tinder’s ID Check, which verifies age and identity using government-issued IDs.
Tinder has introduced facial recognition technology for new users in California, marking a significant step in combating fake profiles and impersonation on the platform. The feature, called Face Check, requires individuals to submit a short video selfie during registration to confirm their identity matches their uploaded photos.
This verification process helps ensure users interact with genuine profiles rather than bots or duplicate accounts. Once approved, profiles receive a verified badge, adding a layer of trust to the platform. According to reports, Tinder deletes the video selfie after verification but retains an encrypted facial map to detect potential misuse of the same image across multiple accounts.
While Face Check is new to California, it has already been implemented in other regions, including Colombia and Canada. It’s important to distinguish this feature from Tinder’s ID Check, which relies on government-issued identification to verify age and identity. The move reflects the app’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety and authenticity for its users.
By integrating facial recognition, Tinder aims to create a more secure environment, reducing the risks of catfishing and fraudulent activity. The technology could set a precedent for other dating platforms looking to improve user verification processes. However, privacy advocates may scrutinize how biometric data is handled, despite Tinder’s assurance of encryption and limited retention.
As online dating continues to evolve, features like Face Check highlight the balance between security and user convenience, a challenge many tech companies face in today’s digital landscape.
(Source: TechCrunch)
