This page includes important information about Hinge's safety policies and reporting procedures, as required by Colorado law. Please also refer to our Member Expectations and Principles, Terms of Use, and Safe Dating Advice for additional guidance about how to keep your experience on Hinge safe and respectful.
What is Hinge’s policy regarding sexual violence and other conduct that threatens public or personal safety?
At Hinge, the safety of our daters is a top priority and we're here to intervene when something or someone poses a threat of harm to another.
Our team is committed to working with law enforcement as appropriate and responding to valid law enforcement requests.
Engaging in sexual conduct with another person without their consent is not only against Hinge rules but also against the law. It can lead to serious consequences, including civil or criminal liability. If there is a criminal investigation, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement.
For additional details regarding Hinge’s rules, see our Member Expectations and Principles and Terms of Use.
How can I report conduct or content that I think violates Hinge’s guidelines?
You can quickly and easily submit a report using the in-app reporting tool or sending us an email. Submitting false reports for malicious, biased, or other illegitimate reasons is a violation of our Terms and may result in action being taken against your account.
Does Hinge verify users’ identities or run criminal background checks?
We offer SMS verification and, in some markets, an optional identity verification feature. In some cases, we may ask a user to complete a photo ID verification process if we suspect that an account is inauthentic, has been compromised, or belongs to someone who is ineligible to use our services.
While we do not conduct criminal background or identity checks on all users, we may check users' information against state sex offender registries when we have sufficient information to do so. Accounts found to belong to registered sex offenders are banned.
No online photo verification or background screening process is foolproof, nor can it guarantee that a person is safe. Always be cautious when meeting new people online or in person. For more advice to help you stay safe, check out our Safe Dating Advice.
Can individuals who have been convicted of a crime use Hinge?
Our Terms prohibit the use of our services by anyone who has been convicted of or pled no contest to a felony or any crime involving sexual misconduct or violence. If we become aware that a user has a criminal history that makes them ineligible to use Hinge, we ban their account.
What happens to a user who is reported for violating the rules?
We take all reports of misconduct seriously. We promptly review reports and, if we determine the user has violated our Member Expectations and Terms of Use, we take appropriate action. Depending on the seriousness of the violation, consequences will range from a warning to a ban. Violations involving violence, the threat of violence, sexual misconduct, or other serious harmful behavior will result in a ban on Hinge and across the Match Group portfolio.
We limit the information we share about reports when necessary to protect safety or privacy of reporters and other involved parties.
All users have the opportunity to appeal actions taken against their accounts. Information regarding the appeal process can be found here.
When a report about a user’s misconduct is received, do you notify the user’s matches?
In compliance with Colorado law, we send email notifications to Colorado users who have exchanged messages with a member who we have banned due to known or suspected fraudulent behavior. “Fraudulent behavior” is behavior that, in our judgment, indicates the user poses a significant risk of attempting to obtain money (or something of value) from other users through fraudulent means, by using a false identity, or by attempting to defraud other users.
Otherwise, as provided in our Privacy Policy, we can only disclose a user’s account information in limited circumstances, such as when it is the subject of a lawful subpoena or warrant or otherwise required by law.
For More Information or Support
Our Resources Center includes hotlines and other resources for survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, and other crimes.
For local Colorado resources, check out:
- You Have the Right CO: Information and resources for survivors of sexual assault and their families.
- Violence Free Colorado: Resources and support for survivors of domestic violence and their families.
- Crime Victim Services Directory: A comprehensive directory of services and resources for crime victims, advocates, and service providers across Colorado.
- 1-844-493-TALK (8255): A 24/7/365 support line for anyone affected by a mental health, substance use, or emotional crisis.