Building Trust and Safety in the Digital Age: Why Tinder’s Partnership with Garbo is a Game Changer
In today’s world, creating a safe and supportive environment is paramount for any organization, especially those that connect individuals through online platforms.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too do the expectations for safety and transparency. One such example is Tinder, the popular online dating platform with over 57 million active users, which recently announced its partnership with Garbo, a non-profit background check platform, to enhance user safety.
This collaboration marks an important shift in how online dating platforms are addressing user concerns regarding safety, trust, and transparency. By providing users with the option to access background checks on potential matches, Tinder aims to give individuals the tools to make informed decisions before committing to a date or meeting in person. As Tracey Breeden, Match’s Head of Safety and Social Advocacy, noted in her reaction in the Washington Post, “This [access to background checks] gives users the opportunity and comfort level to make more informed choices, whether they want more information before a video chat or before meeting in person.”
Here’s why we believe the partnership between Tinder and Garbo is a step in the right direction for the online dating industry and beyond.
Background Checks and Building a Culture of Trust
Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship — whether personal, professional, or digital. In the workplace, fostering a culture of trust can reduce stress, improve employee satisfaction, and increase productivity. For online platforms, establishing trust is equally crucial, especially when it involves intimate or potentially vulnerable interactions, such as online dating.
Studies show that individuals who feel comfortable and trusted in their environment are less likely to experience stress or anxiety. Tinder’s decision to integrate Garbo’s background checks into its platform allows users to enter relationships, or even casual interactions, with a sense of security, knowing they have access to important information about their potential match.
Research from Pew Research Center indicates that over 60% of younger online dating users who identify as women have been contacted again by someone they explicitly told they weren’t interested in. By offering background checks, Tinder empowers users to have more control over who enters their lives, ensuring their dating experience starts from a place of honesty and transparency.
Background Checks Create a Safe Environment for All Users
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed many individuals toward online dating platforms, with Match Group reporting a 15% increase in subscribers during peak lockdown periods in 2020. As more users flock to these platforms, it’s critical that app developers and providers create spaces where individuals feel safe, respected, and supported.
Garbo, co-founded by Kathryn Kosmides, was born out of a need for greater transparency in the dating world. As Kosmides pointed out, “Before Garbo, abusers were able to hide behind expensive, hard-to-find public records and reports of their violence; now that’s much harder.” Background checks can uncover critical information that helps users make informed decisions, allowing them to feel confident in their interactions without the constant fear of potential harm.
Whether the connection is made virtually or in person, background checks help establish a culture where individuals can trust one another, fostering a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.
Background Checks Encourage Honesty from the Start
Honesty is the cornerstone of any successful relationship. The ability to trust and communicate openly with others is especially important in online dating, where individuals may not have the opportunity to meet face-to-face until later stages of their connection.
By integrating background checks into the dating process, Tinder is promoting transparency from the very beginning of the interaction. This move not only helps users feel more secure but also sets a tone for honesty and openness. As Sarah Sawrey-Cookson, communications director at Get Safe Online, aptly stated, “We’ve always emphasized the need for both first-time and experienced online daters to exercise caution and ‘check the person, not the profile’.”
When individuals approach relationships with transparency, they can engage in more meaningful and genuine conversations, which benefits everyone involved.
Background Checks and Prioritizing Safety for All Users
While safety is important for everyone, certain groups, particularly women and marginalized individuals, often face disproportionate risks in both physical and online spaces. In the world of online dating, these concerns can be heightened, with reports of harassment and unwanted contact.
Kathryn Kosmides, a survivor of gender-based violence, has made it her mission to provide Garbo as a resource for individuals of all genders, especially those who may be at higher risk of harm. Nearly 57% of women who use online dating platforms report being harassed by explicit images or unwanted contact. By providing access to background checks, Tinder offers an added layer of security and peace of mind, ensuring that users feel more in control of their interactions.
However, it’s important to recognize that safety and trust are concerns that extend beyond any one gender. Everyone deserves a secure environment where they can build meaningful connections, and the initiative between Tinder and Garbo demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and safety for all users.
Conclusion: A Step Toward a Safer, More Trustworthy Future
As technology continues to shape how we connect with others, organizations must stay vigilant in ensuring the safety, well-being, and trust of their users. Tinder’s partnership with Garbo is a forward-thinking approach that highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making in the online dating space.
By offering background checks to users, Tinder is creating a safer and more trusting environment for its millions of active users, while also encouraging others in the industry to consider how they can better protect their communities. At the core of this partnership lies a commitment to providing users with the information they need to build relationships on a foundation of honesty and trust—values that should be at the heart of every online interaction.
As a leading background check provider, we believe that this initiative sets a valuable precedent for all industries, highlighting the critical role that transparency and trust play in fostering safe, supportive communities—both online and offline.
See how Certn’s online background screening solutions can help you take a step forward into the global trust economy. Request a quote today.
