Tinder Disadvantaged By The App Background Check Service, This Is The Cause!

JAKARTA - Match Group, Tinder's parent will soon be abandoned by partners providing background checks for Garbo. With the end of this collaboration, Garbo services related to consumers and Matches will stop their background checks on affected apps.

The app includes Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Stir, and Match.com. The two companies first teamed up in 2021, following a series of reports about the dangers that befell Tinder dating app users.

Since that integration, users must run limited number of free background checks using their last name and phone number. They can also view public reports of violence, punishment and detention orders.

"The application of our consumer background examination is closed as of August 31, 2023," said Garbo founder Kathryn Kosmides in her announcement.

However, it's unclear what happened to the two companies, Garbo seems to blame Match Group, as quoted by The Verge and TechCrunch, Friday, August 18.

"Most of the online platforms are not legally committed to trust and security for their users. There are some great companies that actually run our mission, but the sad reality is that most social networks, dating apps, and online platforms care more about their core than they care about you," explained Kosmides.

He also said that local governments are increasingly making it difficult for individuals to get access to important public record information needed to identify hazards.

Where this information can be used for user decisions about who will be involved online and directly.

"The cost of searching increases, and in some places it is used as a source of income. There is also no uniform standard to report information that we really need for precise and consistent notes," said Kosmides.

"And there is a disturbing trend from bad actors who undermine criminal justice and public record systems by utilizing loopholes and sealing/erasing records of gender-based violence and other serious dangers while threatening Garbo and other organizations," he continued.

Even so, Garbo will continue its mission to prevent danger in the digital era as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, but will switch to a volunteer-led organization for now.

"We are changing our model to provide resources and solutions that directly empower you to control your personal security in the digital era," Kosmides said.

Finally, Kosmides advises users not to use people search sites or other online background checkpoints because they allow people, including bad actors, to choose to leave or delete records.

"They are not transparent about their access and data sources, and they often resell your data, including your data on the use of their platform," Kosmides said.

"If you use these sites, we recommend being careful with what information you use to register, make sure you understand their billing practices, and be careful at the moment and if you don't find someone you're tracking."