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Tinder Adds Background Checks to Its Dating App

Bostonian 5y ago
"Garbo said it has tried to address the pitfalls of background checks by adding its confidence indicators and limiting the information it provides. For example, results Garbo gives Tinder users exclude arrests and convictions for financial crimes that are more than seven years in the past as well as for homicides or robberies that took place more than 14 years ago. Such time limits were developed by criminal justice reform advocates to give people who committed crimes a chance to change their behavior, Garbo said." I'd like to know if a potential date killed someone 15 or more years ago. Instead of Tinder deciding what's relevant, give the information to the user and let him or her decide what to do with it.
DyslexicAtheist 5y ago
see also the concerns aired when they planned it in 2021: Tinder’s plan for criminal record checks raises fears of ‘lifelong punishment’ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/13/tinder-plan-criminal-record-checks https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/13/tinder-pl...
- Bostonian 5y ago
  I would want to know if a potential romantic partner had committed a serious crime, even 20 years ago. I would not necessarily rule them out, but it would be a consideration. Arguably juvenile records should also be available, if the person consents. If I am thinking about dating a 20-year old, an offense he or she may have committed 3 years ago is relevant. I would not mind disclosing a juvenile record, because I don't have one. If someone did refuse to disclose, one wonders why. FWIW I am 51, male, and married.
  - dazc 5y ago
    > If someone did refuse to disclose, one wonders why. Because they were innocent? There is also a thing in the UK (not sure if other countries do the same) where some offences are considered 'spent' after a set time limit which means you don't have to disclose the conviction to anyone.
  - ydlr 5y ago
    So, what did your wife say when you asked for a background check?
    - Bostonian 5y ago
      In the year 2000, when we got married, I don't think think there was an automated system for doing such a check in India, where my wife was then living. But in the U.S. in 2022, I think it should be possible.
  - raxxorrax 5y ago
    And did you get the criminal record of your wife before you married her?
thghtihadanacct 5y ago
We arent even considering the amount of information one would need to provide to actually get an accurate report. Foolish to think a racket that already creates fake users to goad real users wouldnt sell that info to anyone with cash.

"Garbo said it has tried to address the pitfalls of background checks by adding its confidence indicators and limiting the information it provides. For example, results Garbo gives Tinder users exclude arrests and convictions for financial crimes that are more than seven years in the past as well as for homicides or robberies that took place more than 14 years ago. Such time limits were developed by criminal justice reform advocates to give people who committed crimes a chance to change their behavior, Garbo said." I'd like to know if a potential date killed someone 15 or more years ago. Instead of Tinder deciding what's relevant, give the information to the user and let him or her decide what to do with it.

DyslexicAtheist 5y ago

see also the concerns aired when they planned it in 2021: Tinder’s plan for criminal record checks raises fears of ‘lifelong punishment’ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/13/tinder-plan-criminal-record-checks https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/13/tinder-pl...

Bostonian 5y ago
I would want to know if a potential romantic partner had committed a serious crime, even 20 years ago. I would not necessarily rule them out, but it would be a consideration. Arguably juvenile records should also be available, if the person consents. If I am thinking about dating a 20-year old, an offense he or she may have committed 3 years ago is relevant. I would not mind disclosing a juvenile record, because I don't have one. If someone did refuse to disclose, one wonders why. FWIW I am 51, male, and married.
- dazc 5y ago
  > If someone did refuse to disclose, one wonders why. Because they were innocent? There is also a thing in the UK (not sure if other countries do the same) where some offences are considered 'spent' after a set time limit which means you don't have to disclose the conviction to anyone.
- ydlr 5y ago
  So, what did your wife say when you asked for a background check?
  - Bostonian 5y ago
    In the year 2000, when we got married, I don't think think there was an automated system for doing such a check in India, where my wife was then living. But in the U.S. in 2022, I think it should be possible.
- raxxorrax 5y ago
  And did you get the criminal record of your wife before you married her?

thghtihadanacct 5y ago

We arent even considering the amount of information one would need to provide to actually get an accurate report. Foolish to think a racket that already creates fake users to goad real users wouldnt sell that info to anyone with cash.