Tinder Will Now Let Users Run Background Checks On Matches

Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, has announced it will be rolling out background checks on its app, as part of a partnership with nonprofit Garbo.

Users will be able to access the feature through the in-app safety center, which will direct them to a website to fill in basic information about their match, such as the person’s first name and mobile number.

According to TechCrunch, this is enough to get details from the system, but if it doesn’t return any results, users will be prompted to enter more information, such as their match’s age. 

Upon getting the results, users can then decide how to proceed with their matches. For example, if a person has a history of violence, users will be encouraged to report the profile to Tinder to be removed. 

Engadget noted the search excludes certain non-violent offenses, such as drug possession, loitering, curfew violations, or minor traffic incidents.

Additionally, on Garbo’s site, users will be able to access mental health resources, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which can offer more information on next steps and safety planning. 

To start, Tinder will allow all users two free background checks, up to 500,000 checks in total. Following that, each search will cost US$2.50 plus a transaction fee.

[via TechCrunch and Engadget, cover image via Garbo]