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Tinder is taking a new step to stop fake profiles and protect its users. The dating app is now testing facial recognition in California to make sure people are who they say they are.

Starting June 30, new users in California must use a feature called Face Check when creating their Tinder accounts.

This feature, powered by FaceTec technology, asks users to take a short video of themselves, CBS News said.

The app then checks if the person in the video matches their photos and if their face isn't being used in other accounts.

Once verified, the user gets a blue checkmark on their profile. Tinder says this will help show other users that the person is real.

"Face Check is really meant to be about confirming that this person is a real, live person and not a bot or a spoofed account," said Yoel Roth, Tinder's head of trust and safety.

The move comes as scams on dating apps grow more common. In 2023, more than 64,000 people in the US reported being victims of romance scams.

These scams often involve fake profiles used to trick people into giving away personal information or money.

Tinder Tests Mandatory Face Scans to Stop Dating Scams

The FBI and consumer groups have warned that dating apps are a common place for these scams to happen.

Tinder has had photo verification for a while, but that was optional. This new Face Check feature is required — at least during this test in California.

The company says the video selfie is deleted after use, but an encrypted face map is saved to help detect future fraud.

The data is kept only while a person has a Tinder account and is deleted 30 days after the account is closed.

California was chosen for this pilot because of its size and strong privacy laws. Tinder has tried similar programs in Japan, Canada, and Colombia, and may expand Face Check across the US if the California test works well.

This test also comes at a time when dating apps are facing pressure. According to Engadget, Match Group, which owns Tinder, OKCupid, and Hinge, recently laid off workers and faces criticism over user safety.

Some people say the company didn't act fast enough when serious complaints were made.

For now, Tinder says it's focusing on safety. "Creating a fun and respectful environment where Tinder users can be their true selves is our priority," the company shared.