The company said a new option to verify users' ID would be voluntary at first. Japanese users have had to prove their identities since 2019.
ADVERTISEMENTPeople looking for romance on the dating app Tinder may soon have to show their ID as the service looks to provide a more "safe" experience.
On Monday Tinder announced that it would add an ID verification option for users worldwide in "the coming quarters".
The company said verification would initially be optional, unless required by law. ID verification has been mandatory for Tinder users in Japan since 2019, in an effort to stop under-18s accessing the app.
Tinder said it would consult with experts to determine which forms of ID would be accepted in different countries and to ensure an "equitable, inclusive and privacy-friendly approach"
Sensitive information
“ID Verification is complex and nuanced, which is why we are taking a test-and-learn approach to the rollout,” said Rory Kozoll, Head of Trust & Safety Product at Tinder.
"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".
In its announcement of the new ID verification drive, the company acknowledged that not all users would feel comfortable supplying it with their real identities.
"We know that in many parts of the world and within traditionally marginalised communities, people might have compelling reasons that they can’t or don’t want to share their real-world identity with an online platform,” said Tracey Breeden, VP of Safety and Social Advocacy at Tinder parent company Match Group.
Under investigation
Last year, Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced it was leading an EU probe into Tinder's handling of users' data following "concerns raised by individuals both in Ireland and across the EU".
"The identified issues pertain to [Dublin-based Match Group company] MTCH Technology Services Limited’s ongoing processing of users’ personal data with regard to its processing activities in relation to the Tinder platform, the transparency surrounding the ongoing processing, and the company’s compliance with its obligations with regard to data subject rights requests," the DPC said.
In 2010 another Match Group dating platform was fined for breaching the EU's GDPR data protection rules.
Belgium-based platform Twoo was fined €50,000 after authorities found it had collected information via the app's "invite contacts" function without a legal justification under GDPR rules.
