Dating app Tinder to start checking IDs in the UK
Listen to the story (British accent)
The dating app Tinder will start a new safety feature in the UK. It will check some users’ identities with passports or driving licenses, and video selfies.
Users that have their identities checked will get a special icon on their profile. The icon, a blue check mark, shows that their age and pictures are real.
Tinder will start this new feature because some people try to trick other people on the app. Bad people pretend to be a different person, start a relationship and try to get money.
Tinder hopes this new feature will help users feel safer.
The safety feature is optional. Some people say the feature should be required on every dating app.
This was first used in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Tinder says it’s easier to meet new people on the app if you have your identity checked.
This will also start in the US, Brazil, and Mexico.
Tinder already used the blue check mark icon for famous people.
Vocabulary17 words
- Dating
- Getting to know someone in a friendly way, sometimes with the hope of becoming romantic partners ❤; Meeting and spending time with someone to see if you like each other
- App
- A computer program/application that can be used on a mobile phone or tablet
- Feature
- a special or important point; attribute; quality; component; part;
- Check
- to carefully look at; To examine or inspect something closely; to confirm; investigate
- User
- a person who uses something
- Identity
- Who you are, like your name, age, and other personal information
- Driving license
- an official document or card that authorizes/allows someone to drive a car
- Selfie
- a picture you take of yourself
- Icon
- A small picture or symbol that represents something; emojis are like icons
- Profile
- A page that tells people about you; Information about a person on a website or app
- Check mark
- a symbol, usually a small tick or a cross, used to indicate that something is correct or complete; ✓; ✅
- Trick
- A clever or sneaky way to make someone believe or do something
- Pretend
- to make-believe or act like something that you are not
- Relationship
- a close romantic friendship between two people
- Hope
- something good that you want to happen in the future; a confident feeling about what will happen in the future; wish
- Optional
- Something you can choose to do but don't have to; not required; not necessary
- Require
- make necessary; to order or demand something
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The dating _____ Tinder will start a new safety feature in the _____. It will check some users’ identities with passports or driving licenses, and _____ selfies.
Users that have their identities _____ will get a special icon on their profile. The icon, a _____ check mark, shows that their age and pictures are _____.
Tinder will start this new _____ because some people try to trick other people on the app. _____ people pretend to be a different person, _____ a relationship and try to get money.
Tinder _____ this new feature will help users feel safer.
The safety feature is _____. Some people say the feature should be required on _____ dating app.
This was first used _____ Australia and New Zealand in _____. Tinder says it’s easier to meet new people on the app if you have your identity _____.
This will also start in the US, _____, and Mexico.
Tinder already used the blue check _____ icon for famous people.
Discussion questions
- Is it OK for dating apps to ask for your ID? Does it make you feel safer?
- Should all users on dating apps have to show their identity, or just some? Why?
- Do you think more people will use Tinder because of the new feature? Why or why why not?
- What else can dating apps do to improve user safety?
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