Grindr has introduced mandatory age verification for users in the UK, becoming one of the first dating apps to comply with the country’s new Online Safety Act, which takes effect later this month. The measure is designed to prevent underage access to adult platforms and applies to both new and existing users who access the app from within the UK.
To verify their age, users must either submit a short video selfie or combine one with a government-issued photo ID. Accepted documents include passports, driver’s licenses, and refugee ID cards, among others. The process must be completed before users can access the app and only needs to be done once per account. According to Grindr, the system will be enforced for any user who opens the app while located in the UK, regardless of where their account was originally created.
The age check is powered by FaceTec’s biometric verification technology, with all data handled separately to protect user privacy. Grindr has stated that submitted materials will be encrypted and permanently deleted after the verification is completed.
The move follows a growing trend among dating platforms to adopt stricter safety measures amid rising regulatory pressure. In a blog post, Grindr noted that the change supports its commitment to being “a space for queer adults,” and pledged to keep evolving its safety tools in line with global standards.
As the July 25 compliance deadline approaches, similar steps are expected across the online dating industry, with some apps potentially even introducing the exact same system that Grindr did.
