Dutch Tinder users must submit face scan to use dating app from April

Starting in April 2026, Tinder users in the Netherlands will be required to submit a face scan to use the popular dating app. The scan will be used to prevent catfishing, but there are concerns about privacy risks.

Face scan needed to use Tinder in the Netherlands

Last year, Tinder started testing face scans to verify the identities of people in profiles. In April this year, it will become mandatory for Tinder users in the Netherlands to submit these “biometric face scans” if they want to continue using the dating app.

"This information can be used and stored to estimate your age, verify your profile photos, reduce fraud, and prevent someone else from using your identity," Tinder told De Telegraaf. After a face scan is completed, the user will get a blue check mark next to their name. The measure will hopefully also cut down on catfishing, where people pretend to be someone else on the internet. 

While privacy expert Brenno de Winter believes it is a good move for Tinder due to the high number of fake profiles, there are worries that the face scan will violate users’ privacy. "Virtually no one reads the privacy terms, so people often have no idea exactly what a company does or can do with this sensitive data," said De Winter.

Concerns about privacy risks of Tinder face scan

The new privacy policy states that these AI face scans will be stored on US servers for as long as an account exists on the app and can be shared with third parties “when necessary to resolve issues or ensure that the service continues to function properly”. If an account is deleted, the biometric data should also be deleted within 30 days.

This means that the US government could request, use and store someone’s facial data. There are also greater risks if the servers storing the data are hacked. “You can change a password if it is leaked, but not your face. Therefore, the consequences of the leaking of sensitive personal data can be greater,” warns Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP). 

“A grainy photo is enough to recognise your face anywhere and find out all sorts of things about you: your address, salary, search history, and much more. You could be “tracked” on a large scale in this way.” If users want to prevent this, it looks like the only way is to delete their account. According to the dating app, “by continuing to use Tinder after April 4, you agree to the updated privacy policy”.