Tinder now uses AI, specifically to verify if its users are actually real people, not some creepy catfish or a bot.
The dating platform previously followed a verification process requiring users to take selfies to prove their identity.
Tinder's AI-Powered Verification Feature Rolls Out
But this time, Tinder aims to improve it. According to Tech Crunch, it is now rolling out an upgraded AI-powered verification, which asks them to take video selfies to ensure that they are who they say they are.
The online dating service admits that "no photo verification process is perfect," as per Mashable. So with this new AI-powered feature in place, there might still be some false results. Some catfishers might still find loopholes in the new system. Despite that, Tinder touts that it should help them make "those blue checkmarks more real."
This new verification process for the much-coveted blue Tinder checkmarks comes amid the widespread removal of legacy verification on Twitter. The Elon Musk-owned social media now requires users to pay for a monthly subscription to get their hands on the verification badge.
On the other hand, the online dating app offers the checkmark for free. But users have to prove that they are a real person.
Tech Crunch notes that the new verification system on Tinder comes in the middle of the rapid emergence of AI tools, which allows folks to make up a fake persona out of the blue easily. It is now pretty easy to produce an AI-generated photo out of nowhere, thanks to various image-generative tools these days. AI has taken the world by storm after OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT instantaneously grew in popularity.
How Does Tinder's New Photo Verification Work?
All that said, the dating app now checks the "liveness" of its users during verification to prevent bots from going through the system. The new AI-powered Photo Verification on Tinder has started rolling out to users from various parts of the world.
And as such, if a new user wants to verify their identity in the service, they will have to take multiple video selfies. It is pretty straightforward. All they have to do is take a live video recording using the front-facing camera of their mobile devices.
The Verge notes that the Tinder-rival Hinge sports a similar verification process, requiring video selfies. Apple and Google State ID users are also familiar with the dating app's new system.
Tinder says it will soon require all its Photo Verified users to re-verify soon.
In the coming months, those who previously got their blue checkmark will have to undergo AI-powered verification, which uses video selfies, to keep their Photo Verified status. For now, they may continue flaunting their highly-coveted blue check marks without taking a series of video selfies.