There is a big problem in Tinder (the dating APP) over fake photos.
It is estimated that hackers have stolen more than 70,000 photos of Tinder users and put them on cyber crime sites to allow criminals to create fake profiles. These are usually for catphishing frauds.
Catphishing is where someone uses another person’s photo and profile and pretends to be that person in order to win the trust of the recipient and often to scam them.
Once the data has been hacked, there is little can be done. However, Tinder faces the problem of fake accounts and is trying to crack down on fake profiles and photos by insisting on photo verification – to help users tell if the person they are talking to is who they claim to be.
Tinder say they will use human-assisted AI to verify profile photos uploaded on to the dating app by asking people to take a number of real-time selfies.
If a match is made, profiles will be given a blue tick checkmark verifying that the person’s appearance is real.
Tinder is also testing offensive message detection, using machine learning technology to ask users whether they feel bothered by something someone has said and allowing them to report it.
How to Check a Profile is Genuine
- Google reverse image search
Copy the photo and paste it or the URL into Google reverse image search at images.google.com.
Google will attempt to check if the image is elsewhere on the Internet.
- Check their Social Media Profile
You would expect that anyone using a dating site will have social media accounts – so check them and see if the photos and profile match.
- Google Search
As long as the name isn’t too common you might find information about them on standard Google searches.
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