How Does an Online Dating App Do Identity Verification?

 Online Dating, chatting, and dating applications have quickly appeared as a preferred option for meeting new people and expanding one’s social circle. There are many drawbacks that come with online dating, namely, identity theft, romance scams and dating scams. There are so many fake profiles on dating apps that they are causing wasted time, safety issues and even harmful financial losses. Studies suggest that upwards of half of online dating accounts are either fake/' or scammers or created/run by someone who had malicious intentions. Scammers typically set up these fake accounts to take legitimate users for a ride that ends in financial loss, emotional harm and/or personal injury. Leveraging other identity and age verification services will increase the safety of dating platforms, protecting real human users. 

How does it work?

Contemporary dating sites and apps use a variety of user identity verification methods to ensure user safety; following these standards offers a safer dating platform that is more 'real.' Depending on the dating site/app, the way to get verified on a dating site can differ significantly; here are examples of various ways in which this works:

1. Document Verification

Users upload a document issued by the government, for example, a driving licence or a passport. An advanced form of software will cross-test, via government databases, the details of this document to verify the user's identity. 

2. Biometric Verification

To verify the identity of the user, facial recognition technology is used to verify the selfie taken by the user against the photo in the ID verification document. This means the person is the same person in the ID who is creating the profile. 

 

3. Phone Number Verification

Attaching to a verified phone number adds an extra layer of security for verifying identity under a profile. Usually, a user must go through this identity verification and other layers of scrutiny to check for more certainty in their verification. 

4. Database Checking

Dating platforms can review their users by verifying their data via the public database to check that the user's identity and age are accurate. This would ensure that any information provided by the users' social media accounts and profiles is consistent.

Common Scams on Dating Apps 

There are many different scams on dating apps that scammers perpetrate:

1. Phishing Scams

Phishing is another scam where scammers send out messages or links to websites. This type of text or site often appears legitimate and looks like it has been sent from the original web resources. Scammers trick victims into providing their personal information and acquire OTPs and passwords, and use the information to access finance-based sites, making them capable of stealing from the victims directly and to justify the stolen assets from others.

2. Catfishing

In catfishing scams, Fraudsters make pretend profiles on social networks, posing as someone other than themselves. Targeting victims so they can trick unwilling participants into sending money or take personal information while making themselves appear trustworthy to the victim.

3. Money Laundering Scams

In a money laundering scam, criminals ask victims to receive and send large sums of money. These scams are generally part of a larger money laundering scheme, wherein funds are funnelled through multiple accounts to hide or disguise their illegal origins. 

4. Romance Scams

Romance scammers cultivate a fake relationship with the victim, often for a prolonged period, and regularly get the victim involved in their personal lives. Ultimately, there will come a point at which a dating scammer will request some sort of financial benefit, providing links, diversions and one of many collapse stories to which the dating scammer exploits the victim's emotions and trust.

The Value of Online Dating Identity Verification

ID verification improves dating apps' user experience and makes them safer and more trustworthy, reducing online dating scams on a verified user basis.

Benefits for Users

When online dating is verified, users have a dramatically better experience that creates a more genuine and safer dating environment.

1. Genuine Connection

When users understand that others are verified as well, they will trust the app more and engage in more meaningful conversations. This leads to a much more authentic dating experience for users while engaging in genuine connections.

2. Confidence Boost

Knowing that an ID verification company is sponsoring an app can provide users with extra comfort in their online dating experience. This sense of security makes users more comfortable and improves their overall experience.

3. Magical Safety

Verification confirms that users are connecting with real people (not fake or scam profiles) - improved safety means less chance users will come across fraudulent accounts, scams, and more.

4. Reduced Catfish Risk

Verification greatly diminishes catfishing. In other words, it reduces the fake profiles that mislead others. An ID-verified dating app confirms a user’s identity, thereby reducing the chances of a deceptive catfish, which allows users to communicate with actual humans.

Advantages of Dating Platforms

Advantages that dating platforms have from implementing ID verification by:

1. Building Trust of Users

Tough ID verification boosts users' trust in the platform. When users are confident that the platform they are using values their safety, they are more likely to feel loyalty and be satisfied.

2. Improving User Retention

In a more genuine and safe environment, there is more user retention. When users trust their safety, they are likely to continue using the platform and recommend it to others.

 

3. Protecting Against Fraud

Validating users helps protect against fraud. Validation also helps limit scammers by verifying that users are legitimate persons. The more legitimacy users the less chance of fraud occurring, and the more confidence users have in the platform. 

4. Developing Brand Reputation

Returning to capable ID verification improves the platform, and it also strengthens your brand. A well-developed reputation of safety and authenticity can attract more users, despite a crowded marketplace with many other options. 

Conclusion

As many dating websites and applications continue to connect and serve people across the globe, age verification and ID verification processes have never been more vital. The basis of online dating underly on a safe and trusted environment. By implementing local verification and respecting privacy, the future of online dating can be promising. Social media and dating platforms must take greater responsibility to protect their users.