Tinder now lets you run background checks on matches. Here’s how it works
Tinder is trying to make meeting up with your matches in person safer and help dating app swipers avoid a potential “Tinder Swindler” scam with a new partnership with a background checking service for “the digital age.”
Starting March 9, Tinder is allowing users two free background checks through the nonprofit Garbo to identify potential “violent or harmful behavior” in their matches — but there are caveats.
First off, the two free searches are only available through Tinder until 500,000 searches are claimed, according to the new feature in Tinder’s Safety Center.
Additionally, Garbo says not everyone’s criminal record will be available through the service. While the platform gives users access to their potential dates’ arrests and convictions, along with sex offender registry data in the U.S., there may be some gaps.
“Garbo’s database may be missing information as we do not have access to every record in every county due to jurisdictional laws and availability,” the nonprofit says.
Garbo also limits access to nonviolent offenses, like minor drug charges.
About 1 in 3 women have reported being sexually assaulted by someone they met on a dating app, ProPublica reported.
Tinder’s parent company, Match Group, told the news outlet in 2019 that background checks created “a false sense of security” on dating apps and argued that they did not make sense for the app because government data could lack accuracy, or a sex offender could give a different name.
But now the dating app and Garbo say the partnership can help protect those “most vulnerable” to abuse.
“We know that the biggest indicator of future abuse or violence is a history of these types of behaviors. Whether it’s online dating or the dozens of other ways we meet strangers in today’s digital age, we should know if we’re potentially putting our safety at risk,” Kathryn Kosmides, the creator of Garbo, said in a news release announcing the collaboration. “We want to protect those most vulnerable to experiencing harm both online and offline and this is just the first step in delivering on our mission to help proactively prevent harm in the digital age.”
How to use the new feature
Accessing the background checking service is relatively easy. You just have to make an account on Garbo’s website and select the option that says you heard about the platform from Tinder. Two free search credits will then be applied to your account.
You can search for someone with any amount of information you have, although Tinder recommends gathering the person’s name and phone number prior to the search. There are options to input name, phone number, city, state and even zodiac sign to track down the right person.
Garbo also asks the searcher what kind of person they are looking up — whether it be a Tinder match before a date, a relative, friend or partner — to tailor resources to the searcher.
.png "Screenshot (74).png")
With the press of a button, Garbo will try to track down the person you’re looking for and will let you know if the person has a criminal record available.
However, the platform does warn users the person may have a record that is not accessible and to “exercise caution” during a potential meeting.
After the initial two free credits, additional searches are available for $2.50 each.
“For far too long women and traditionally marginalized groups have faced many barriers to resources and safety,” Tracey Breeden, head of safety and social advocacy at Match Group, said in the release. “Garbo’s thoughtful and innovative consumer background checks will drive the industry forward while empowering people with critical information to help inform personal safety choices.”
Tinder did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 5:06 PM.
