Tinder is testing facial recognition for users as a new security feature | The Independent Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Not nowYes pleaseUS EditionChangeSupport NowSupport NowMenuMoreThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inTinder is testing facial recognition for users as a new security featureThe dating app is unrolling the feature in California, Canada, and Colombiain San FranciscoTuesday 01 July 2025 02:03 BSTCommentsTinder announces Double Date featureYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreTinder is piloting a new featuring using facial recognition scans to verify profiles and increase security.New users in California will now be mandated to take a video selfie during the app’s onboarding process which Tinder will compare against the user’s other photos to verify their profile is genuine.The app will also check the scan against faces used on other accounts and provide verified profiles with a special badge.Tinder will store a non-reversible, encrypted face map to detect duplications, according to Axios, which reported on the new feature. "We see this as one part of a set of identity assurance options that are available to users," Yoel Roth, head of trust and safety at Tinder’s parent company Match Group, told the outlet. "Face Check ... is really meant to be about confirming that this person is a real, live person and not a bot or a spoofed account." The app is planning to use facial recognition selfie scans to match profiles to photos and detect duplicatesThe feature is already in use in Colombia and Canada, and California will be its first U.S. pilot market. The stored facial data is deleted once a user deletes their profile, Tinder claims.Computer and app users have long attempted to use fraudulent identities on public profiles, for purposes ranging from financial “romance scams” to full-blown, in-depth attempts at pretending to be someone else, a practice known as “catfishing.”U.S. Justice Department and FBI officials told CBS News in 2024 that there were more than 64,000 romance scams in the U.S. the previous year. The practice is common enough that it inspired a hit Netflix documentary about the “Tinder Swindler,” who is accused of using dating apps to swindle matches out of millions.Tinder and its competitors have previously added features such as identification verification, real-time photo verification, and location-sharing to prevent safety issues. More aboutJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost PopularPopular videosRead NextToday’s EditionIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduThe StandardPuzzlesIndependent AdvertisingSyndicationWorking at The IndependentModern Slavery StatementThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in , Tinder is requiring new users in California to verify their identities by using facial recognition, according to a report by Axios. The policy goes into effect today as a test program. The obvious , Photo: Tinder Tinder is mandating new users in California verify their profiles using facial recognition technology starting Monday, executives exclusively tell Axios. Why it matters: The move aims to reduce impersonation and is part of Tinder parent Match Group's broader effort to improve trust and safety amid ongoing user frustration..