Dec. 26 (Portaltic/EP) –
One of the concerns that users often have when using dating apps is how to identify if they can trust a profile or notbased on this, the applications of this sector use some identity verification systems such as selfie video in order to avoid impersonations.
Although dating platforms have the goal of matching users who are looking for lovesome profiles They turn out to be fake accounts and cases of identity theft what are they hiding fraudulent intent, such as scams and disrespectful behavior even bullying.
Faced with this reality, applications such as Tinder, Meetic or Hinge they try to contribute tranquility to its users, ensuring their well-being and safety in the use of these platforms.
To do this, these ‘apps’ use a series of both manual and automated review and moderation tools and processeswho try to prevent and eliminate inappropriate behavior such as impersonation. Among these tools, the use of selfies or videos that prove the identity of the user is common.
This is the case of the ‘app’ Hinge, who uses the ‘Selfie Verification’ system. This function consists of the user share a selfie video with the app to receive the status of ‘verified’. To do this, Hinge uses the Liveness Check technology and 3D Face Authentication, according to reports on its website.
With Liveness Checkthe platform led by Justin McLeodscan the face shown in the video and verifies that it is a “real and living” person. Subsequently, the 3D face authentication Compare the face in the video with the profile photos of the user through facial geometries that set up a template. In this way, it certifies that it is the owner of the account and verifies his identity.
However, these facial geometry templates are removed after 24 hours, as well as the selfie video shared by the user, which is also not added to their Hinge profile. Once a positive verification result has been obtained, you will be gives the user a badge on their profile.
As stated by the Hinge spokesman, Jarry Boyd, about this verification system in the wired magazine“As romance scammers find new ways to defraud people, We are committed to investing in new upgrades and technologies that prevent harm to daters.”
For its part, theapp’ American Bumble uses a very similar anti-phishing system. In this case the user will not have to make a video but rather only a selfie is required imitating the pose that appears on the screen and then share it with Bumble.
Once the selfie is sent, the social network uses “a combination of automatic and human resources” to verify that it matches the photos in the accountaccording to indicates the ‘app’ itself.
The verification It can be requested through the button that enables it within the profile or may be required by Bumble if it finds suspicions that it is a fake account. On the contrary, this platform does save the verification selfiealong with the photos that have been uploaded to the ‘app’.
In the case of the French social network Meeticit shares the system of facial recognition by sending a selfie. This system performs a face scan to confirm that it is a real person and has not been digitally altered or manipulated.
After that, the system goes to check facial geometry and compare if it matches with the photos that the user shares in your profile. In the event that the verification is approved, a badge will also appear which guarantees that the user in question is the owner of the account.
Another of the most used dating platforms is grindr. This ‘app’ does not use verification systems with videos or selfies with facial geometry, but includes other formulas. First, if the user created their account via emailthe verification process consists of send a selfie holding a sheet with the email address associated with the written Grindr account.
On the other hand, if the account was created through third parties, such as Apple or Facebook, the user will have to send a selfie with a sheet with your device ID written on it. grindr only asks to verify identity if the account has been reported on suspicion of impersonation.
OTHER TOOLS TO STOP THESE ACCOUNTS
However, they are also used other tools Like the automatic profile scans to look for red flags in the language and images used. For example, methods such as manual revisions profiles and suspicious activities, as well as the user generated reports.
Tinder, one of the most popular dating apps, uses several “defenses” against malicious behavior. One of the techniques is ‘shadow-banning’consisting of make an account invisible to other users without the account owner knowing. This option applies to accounts that the social network considers suspicious, in accordance with its community rules and terms of use.
“We have a zero tolerance policy on harassment and encourage members of our community to report any instances of misconduct or any user who violates the rules,” expresses Tinder about it.
In addition to all this, once the profiles with malicious intent have been identified and the corresponding decisions have been made. these platforms proceed to block email addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses and other identifiers associated with the wrongdoers.
The users can prefer to file complaints in these situations of fraud or harassment. The usual procedure in these cases is for the platform team to take measures such as deleting the account or, in certain cases, notify the situation to the relevant police forces.
As Tinder explains, “We are constantly evaluating and refining our processes and, whenever possible, we will work with law enforcement to protect our users.”
