Why this report matters
Romance scams are rising globally, with billions lost to fake identities, bots, and cross-border fraud, making manual moderation no longer enough.
This report shows how identity verification (IDV) and age assurance improve trust, safety, and compliance while keeping onboarding fast and privacy-first, aligned with regulations like the UK Online Safety Act and GDPR.
It highlights the scale of the threat and how modern verification helps address it.
users worldwide in 2025, making dating apps a prime target for bots and global fraud
lost to romance scams in one year, driven by fake identities
trust boost for platforms like Feeld after automated ID verification
checks with AI liveness detection, verifying users without onboarding friction
What you’ll learn in this report
Prevent fake profiles and catfishing
How identity verification and biometric selfie checks help dating apps reduce fake accounts, catfishing, and identity misrepresentation.
Stop bots and fraud at signup
Why verifying real users at onboarding helps protect dating platforms from bots and improves overall safety and trust.
Boost trust, conversion, and retention
How reducing fraud and fake profiles increases user trust, improves conversion rates, and lowers churn in online dating platforms.
Ensure age compliance and safety
How age validation and AI age estimation help meet global age verification requirements and keep dating platforms safe and age-appropriate.
Get the Trust at First Swipe report
Veriff’s dating app identity verification report explores how leading platforms can strengthen trust and safety, prevent global romance scams, and deliver seamless, secure onboarding at scale across the UK, Europe, and global markets.
Compliant
Compliant
Certified
Certified
Certified
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Is this identity verification report completely free?
Yes, the Trust at First Swipe report is 100% free. Simply fill out the short form on this page to gain instant access to proprietary metrics, global compliance strategies, and expert advice on protecting your dating community in 2026 and beyond.2
How does identity verification help dating apps comply with the UK Online Safety Act?
The UK Online Safety Act fundamentally changes platform liability, especially regarding underage access and harmful actors. In our report, we break down exactly how modern Age Assurance tools meet these strict mandates without hurting your user onboarding. Download the guide to see the exact compliance frameworks you need in place to operate safely in the UK.
Is biometric verification compliant with the EU GDPR and US state privacy laws?
Balancing trust and safety with global privacy laws like the EU’s GDPR and California’s CCPA is a major challenge for dating apps. The guide reveals the specific data minimization and consent strategies leading platforms use to deploy biometrics safely and legally. Grab your copy to learn how to secure users without crossing regional regulatory lines.
What is the best age verification method for scaling a dating app internationally?
Different regions require vastly different approaches—what works in North America might cause high churn in the Asia-Pacific or Europe. Inside the report, we compare the use cases for strict Age Validation versus frictionless AI Age Estimation, giving you a clear roadmap on which method to deploy based on your target geo.0
Can we verify international users without causing high abandonment rates?
Yes, but only if you use the right technology. Legacy KYC tools introduce friction that kills conversion. Our buyer’s guide explores how sub-second biometric checks and localized document coverage across 230+ countries can actually boost user acquisition globally. Fill out the form to uncover the metrics behind frictionless, cross-border onboarding.
How exactly do biometric checks prevent cross-border romance scams?
International romance scammers rely on stolen photos and AI-generated deepfakes to exploit victims across borders. We dedicate a full section of the report to the mechanics of defeating catfishing using real-time biometric matching and liveness detection. Get the guide to see exactly how top platforms are shutting down fraudulent networks before they make their first match.