Trust, safety and compliance. What the law and the app stores require.

Dating apps need age checks that actually work. In the UK, Ofcom accepts seven kinds of method, including photo ID matching, facial age estimation and credit card checks, but not a date-of-birth box. Published prices run from about $0.10 for a selfie age estimate to $0.80 to $1.35 for a full ID and selfie check.

Both stores let dating apps in, but with conditions. Apple requires content filtering, reporting, blocking and contact details, in-app account deletion and honest age ratings, and says new dating apps must be meaningfully different. Google requires dating apps to block minors, publish child safety standards, offer account deletion in-app and on the web, and target Android 16 from 31 August 2026.

Romance scams are rising. UK victims reported losses of more than £102 million in 2025, with reports up 29%, and US victims reported over $1.16 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Operators cut exposure with photo and liveness checks, ID options, fast reporting and warning members who chatted to banned scammers, which a new US law would require.

Any dating app with UK members is covered by the Online Safety Act. Since March 2025 it must assess and reduce illegal harms such as fraud. Since July 2025 it must either keep children out with highly effective age checks or apply Ofcom's children's codes. It also needs reporting tools, a complaints process and written records. Fines reach £18 million or 10% of worldwide revenue.