Grindr: age checks in the UK
Whole service gated in the UK since 25 July 2025: video selfie, or selfie plus ID, with FaceTec liveness. Grindr says it controls the data and deletes documents and videos after the check.
Check required for listed access Dating Grindr LLC verified 18 October 2026
Facts panel
Published statements are shown with their sources and the dates we checked them. Missing information and availability limits remain explicit.
- Domain
- grindr.com
- Age check
- Check required for listed access, first recorded 25 July 2025
- Triggered by
- the whole service
- Applies to
- all UK users
- Notes
- Help article published 25 June 2025, updated 11 October 2026.
- Methods
- Face scanPhoto ID
- Vendor
- Other recorded providers for face scan (Grindr in-house with FaceTec liveness), photo id (Grindr in-house)
- Overall record checked
- 18 October 2026. Individual methods may have later checks, shown below.
Methods and retention, one row per method
| Method | Provider | Retention, as published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial age estimation (face scan) | Grindr in-house with FaceTec liveness |
“permanently deleted once age assurance is complete. Grindr will not retain the documents or videos you provide.” Quoted from grindr.com, dated 11 October 2026; checked 18 October 2026. Held by the service. Period as stated: after check; keeps method and pass/fail. Notes: Grindr’s page: “To protect your privacy, any documents and videos you provide are only used for age assurance, are securely encrypted during the process, and are permanently deleted once age assurance is complete. Grindr will not retain the documents or videos you provide. Grindr only retains information about which age assurance method you choose and whether you passed or failed.” Grindr says it “utilizes biometric verification technology from Facetec, while independently managing all data processing.” |
grindr.com, dated 11 October 2026 Primary source · checked 18 October 2026 |
| Photo ID | Grindr in-house |
“To protect your privacy, any documents and videos you provide are only used for age assurance, are securely encrypted during the process, and are permanently deleted once age assurance is complete. Grindr will not retain the documents or videos you provide.” Quoted from grindr.com, dated 11 October 2026; checked 18 October 2026. Held by the service. Period as stated: after check; keeps method and pass/fail. Notes: The ID route pairs a video selfie with an official photo ID; Grindr lists the accepted documents on the page. |
grindr.com, dated 11 October 2026 Primary source · checked 18 October 2026 |
What you will see
- What happens
- You cannot use the app until you complete a video selfie or selfie plus ID.
- How long it takes
- Not stated by the service.
- If you decline
- No access.
- Official help page
- grindr.com
Questions people ask about Grindr
Does Grindr require age verification in the UK?
Yes. As of 18 October 2026, Grindr requires an age check for the whole service, applying to all UK users. First recorded 25 July 2025.
Is the Grindr age check a face scan?
A face scan (facial age estimation) is one of 2 recorded methods: Facial age estimation (face scan) and Photo ID. Providers named: Grindr in-house with FaceTec liveness and Grindr in-house. Which methods a service offers can change; the date each was checked is shown on the page.
What does Grindr keep after the age check?
Facial age estimation (face scan) via Grindr in-house with FaceTec liveness: "permanently deleted once age assurance is complete. Grindr will not retain the documents or videos you provide." (grindr.com, dated 11 October 2026; checked 18 October 2026). Photo ID via Grindr in-house: "To protect your privacy, any documents and videos you provide are only used for age assurance, are securely encrypted during the process, and are permanently deleted once age assurance is complete. Grindr will not retain the documents or videos you provide." (grindr.com, dated 11 October 2026; checked 18 October 2026).
What if the Grindr age check is not working?
This site records what the service publishes; it does not troubleshoot or offer workarounds. Grindr's own help page is https://www.grindr.com/blog/age-assurance-in-the-uk. The record lists 2 methods; availability depends on the service and account: Facial age estimation (face scan) and Photo ID. If you do not complete the check, the service states: No access.
Regulator actions
No Ofcom or ICO action naming this service is recorded as of 18 October 2026.
Sources for this entry
- Grindr blog service policy 11 October 2026
Changes to this record
- — sources.date, methods[photo_id].retention: Page re-read 18 October 2026; it now shows Updated 11 October 2026 and the deletion wording is unchanged. The same sentence covers documents, so the ID row now carries it instead of the absence line. (was: Page dated 31 August 2026; ID row carried no retention quote) manual
- — seed: record created from research/01 and research/02 seed
Correct this entry
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