Tinder users in the United States may now conduct in-app background checks to determine whether their matches have a history of aggressive or dangerous behavior, the firm announced in a news release. Tinder conducts the background checks through a relationship with Garbo, a nonprofit that conducts internet background checks.
The searches will provide results that are “related to the user’s safety,” according to Garbo, and will eliminate information on drug possession and loitering. Additionally, no personally identifiable information such as addresses or phone numbers will be included in the searches. According to Tinder, each user will receive two complimentary background check searches; after that, they will pay $2.50 plus a modest processing fee per transaction, which will directly finance Garbo’s operations and associated fees.
Users can conduct background checks by tapping the blue shield on the app and then selecting the Garbo article, which will take them to Garbo’s website. Initially, users will just need to enter their match’s first name and phone number; however, if this does not produce results, users can enter other information, such as their match’s age. Users who obtain a match that has a history of violence, as Garbo demonstrates, are asked to report the individual to Tinder. Additionally, the business cautioned that the absence of history on a Garbo background check does not ensure a user’s safety and reminded users to follow the company’s safety advice for meeting new people.
Additionally, Match Group announced Wednesday a partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline to enable customers to talk live with qualified advocates. According to the news release, the tool is intended for customers who are “looking for further information regarding healthy relationships and relationship abuse.”
Tinder’s in-app background check is the company’s latest safety-focused enhancement in recent years. It launched ID verification last August and has featured a blue “verified” checkmark since 2020, informing swipers that their identity has been validated via photo.
