Grindr, the popular LGBTQ+ dating app, will implement stringent biometric age verification measures from late July to ensure users are at least 18 years old. This move follows a crackdown by media regulator Ofcom on online platforms hosting adult content, prompted by investigations revealing over 130 UK police reports of child abuse linked to Grindr since 2019.
Previously, Grindr relied solely on self-reported birth dates without formal verification, allowing minors as young as 12 to create accounts. The new verification process will require users to submit a video selfie or pair it with an official photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s licence. Existing users must also complete these checks to retain access.
Ofcom announced new online safety measures as part of the Online Safety Act, mandating “highly effective” age checks across platforms, including dating apps like Grindr and Tinder, from 25 July. Non-compliance could result in hefty fines or court orders to block access within the UK.
Campaigners have welcomed Grindr’s decision. Victoria Green of the Marie Collins Foundation praised the move, noting it creates “a significant barrier for offenders.” Duncan Craig, CEO of We Are Survivors, also lauded the initiative, saying “I welcome the decision by Grindr to better safeguard children and young people from exploitation, particularly at a time when discovering who they are and their sexuality potentially leaves them vulnerable. I would welcome further action from all dating and hook-up apps about engaging with us in tackling sexual harms that their apps often are used to facilitate.”
While some critics argue strict age checks may infringe on privacy, Grindr has assured users that verification data will be encrypted and deleted post-verification. The company stated, “This age assurance process reinforces what Grindr has always been: a space for queer adults.”
The move follows revelations that at least 13 reports of serious sexual offences against children in the UK during the first ten months of 2024 involved Grindr as the initial contact platform.
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