Dating apps add face scans to stop photo fraud

Dating apps are now using face‑recognition scans to give users a “verified human” badge, a move that began in late 2023 after a spike in photo‑swap scams on platforms like Tinder and Bumble. The technology requires a short selfie that is compared to a photo on a user’s ID, and if the match is close enough, the app displays a green badge next to the profile. The first rollout was announced by Bumble in November, followed by Tinder and OkCupid in December.

The shift comes as scammers have found new ways to bypass older identity checks. In 2022, a study by the National Cyber Security Centre found that 1 in 10 online dating users had been duped by a fake profile. Many of those scams involved fake photos or photos that had been altered with deep‑fake software. Face‑recognition is seen as a way to make it harder for fraudsters to create convincing impostor accounts, and to give users a quick visual cue that a profile is legitimate.

The technology is not without cost. The average user must spend about 30 seconds to complete a scan, and the data is stored on the app’s servers for up to a year. Privacy advocates warn that biometric data is more sensitive than passwords, and that a breach could expose a user’s face to hackers. In the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office has issued a warning that companies must obtain explicit consent before using biometric data, and that they must be transparent about how it is stored and used. Some users have already filed complaints, and a small group of activists has started a petition to ban facial scans on dating sites.

What happens next? The industry is already testing a hybrid model that lets users opt out of the badge in exchange for a lower verification fee. Meanwhile, lawmakers in several states are drafting bills that would require apps to provide a clear privacy notice and to delete biometric data after a set period. If the legislation passes, it could force dating platforms to adopt more privacy‑friendly verification methods, such as voice recognition or two‑factor authentication. In the meantime, users who value privacy are turning to niche apps that promise no biometric data, while others see the badge as a small price for safer online romance.