Tinder's Photo Verification Flaw Exposes Users to Scammers: How 'Face Check' Falls Short

In 2023, Tinder announced a new photo verification requirement for new users in the United States, introducing a technology called Face Check. This system required users to submit a video selfie, which would then be compared against the profile pictures to confirm identity. While this was presented as a step toward safety, significant flaws have since emerged.

Earlier this month, journalist Christophe Haubursin published a video on YouTube highlighting a troubling pattern on Tinder. He observed that many profiles displayed eight pictures of one individual followed by a ninth image—often an artistic or stylized version—of a completely different person. A reverse image search revealed that the first eight pictures belonged to a conventionally attractive individual, while the ninth picture matched the profile’s claimed identity.

Haubursin suspected that Tinder’s Face Check system was deeming profiles 'verified' if even one picture matched the video selfie, regardless of the other images. To test this, he created a profile with eight pictures of one person and a single stylized image of another. The profile was approved as verified. Haubursin then contacted some of these verified profiles and confirmed they belonged to crypto scammers.

This revelation raises serious concerns about the reliability of Tinder’s verification process. The company claims a profile is 'verified' when it meets certain criteria, but Haubursin’s findings suggest that verification does not guarantee the profile belongs to the person shown in the majority of images. This discrepancy puts users at risk of encountering scammers, despite Tinder’s assurances.

Haubursin’s investigation also underscores a broader issue in dating app safety: the meaning of 'verified' varies by platform. In his previous work, including the upcoming article Tinder Backgrounds, he argues that users must critically assess what verification claims actually entail. If Tinder’s Face Check approves profiles where only one out of nine images matches the video selfie, the term 'verified' may be misleading.

The implications are twofold. First, users may unknowingly engage with scammers, risking financial loss or harm. Second, Tinder could face legal liability if its verification claims are deemed insufficient. A recent case, Estate of Bride v. YOLO Technologies, Inc. (9th Cir. 2024), suggests that platforms promising safety measures they do not fully implement may not be protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. If courts interpret Tinder’s verification claims as deceptive, the platform could face legal consequences.

Tinder has not responded to Haubursin’s inquiries at the time of reporting.