Identity verification for online dating: why eIDs and NFC are the new standard for trust

This vulnerability was recently exposed by a viral video that highlighted a major flaw in the identity verification processes of some of the world's most popular dating apps. It demonstrated that a user could get a verification tick by using a profile of almost entirely faked photos, as long as one image vaguely matched their real face. 

This practice, often called "kittenfishing," exposes a significant breakdown in trust and safety protocols. If a platform's verification is this easy to fool, it fails to build the very thing it promises: a secure environment. This leaves genuine users exposed to deception, and the platforms themselves vulnerable to fraud. 

To combat this, the dating apps industry clearly needs a stronger approach to identity verification for online dating. To protect users and brand reputation, the industry must shift from simple photo-matching to using Electronic IDs (eIDs) and NFC technology. 

The vulnerability of basic photo matching 

The core issue is the reliance on weak, easily manipulated evidence for verification. When a platform verifies a user by simply matching a live selfie to one of their user-uploaded profile photos, it is making a critical error. It’s checking that the user is a real person, but not which real person they are. 

This method can be bypassed easily, allowing bad actors to create verified yet fake profiles. For users, this means the sense of security offered by a "verified" badge is misleading. For dating platforms, it represents a significant reputational risk and a failure to protect their community. This is a classic scenario where, without strong checks, businesses can face significant financial and reputational damage from scams, a trend we've seen reversed when proper verification is introduced. In fact, a reliable strategy can help you stand up to the scamdemic and reduce fraud cost by 75%. 

Binding profiles to reality with eIDs

To genuinely secure a platform and protect its users, identity verification must be anchored to a trusted, authoritative source. Electronic IDs (eIDs) with a high level of trust, such as those issued by banks or governments, provide this exact foundation, serving as the most secure method for establishing online identity. By integrating an eID verification step, a dating app can guarantee a user’s profile is linked to their real, verified identity. 

• How it works: A user authenticates using, for example, their banking app. Signicat’s platform manages the connection to the eID provider, confirming the user's legal name and age. 
• The benefit: This process makes it impossible to create a profile under a false name or age. Forward-thinking companies are already embracing this method; for instance, the popular dating app Smitten uses Signicat's eID verification to ensure its users are genuine and to build a trusted community from the ground up. 

Government-grade security with NFC document checks 

What about users without a secure eID? The chip in your passport holds the key. Most modern passports, national ID cards and resident permits are e-documents containing a chip that can be read by any smartphone's Near Field Communication (NFC) reader. 

Signicat's ReadID technology leverages this for best-in-class NFC identity verification. 

By using the NFC technology to read the chip and perform a liveness check, a platform can verify a user's identity with the highest degree of confidence. As Wil Janssen, Signicat NFC Ambassador, points out: "NFC provides certainty in document authenticity – it proves who you are. Combined with biometrics it provides the strongest verification of the person holding the document. The highest degree of trust possible, blocking identity fraud and stopping kittenfishing." 

Building a future of online trust 

The issue of fake profiles goes beyond user frustration; it's a matter of safety and platform integrity. By adopting proven technologies like eID and NFC-based document verification, dating platforms can move beyond the security theatre of simple photo matching. 

They can build a foundation of trust, ensure user safety, and protect their brand's reputation. It’s time to stop the catfish and the kittens, and give users the confidence to connect, knowing the person on the other side is who they claim to be.