Dating app Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) has become the first platform to deploy government-backed identity verification in Singapore. Starting July 15, verified users will have the option to filter out unverified profiles – a move aimed at enhancing trust and safety.
CMB integrates Singpass and MyInfo authentication, allowing users to validate their identity by providing National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) or Foreign Identification Number (FIN), marital status, date of birth, and gender. The verification is a one-time process that grants a verified badge, visible unless users opt to filter their matches. Approximately 70% of the app’s Singaporean user base has already undergone verification, according to CMB leadership.
The decision responds directly to user concerns: in a June survey of nearly 1,000 Singaporean users, 75% reported encountering fake or fraudulent profiles. More than 80% called for stronger identity checks, and nearly two-thirds sought marital status confirmation.
Rachel Tee, CMB’s head of trust and safety, highlighted that government-level verification could significantly reduce scammers on the platform. She noted that since the introduction of Singpass integration on June 9, complaints about fraudulent profiles dropped markedly – from 0.56% in May 2024 to just 0.21% in June 2025.
This initiative aligns with broader industry trends. Major dating apps like Bumble, Hinge, Tinder, and OkCupid have introduced forms of both mandatory and optional identity verification, though CMB’s Singpass-powered system represents mandatory identity checks tied to government records. While some privacy advocates warn that collecting sensitive information such as NRIC numbers raises security concerns, CMB assures users that data is securely stored and handled under Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act.
