Community Guidelines

Account & Service Control · Context

Guidelines set conduct expectations on and off the app

Tinder says the Community Guidelines exist to set expectations for everyone's behavior, both on and off the app, so that Tinder can be a fun, safe and inclusive space. It also says that not following them can have real consequences, described here only as ranging from a nudge to a ban. This opening passage does not say which behavior leads to which consequence; the Impact section later describes a warning system and a right to terminate accounts.

Supporting quotations

to set expectations for everyone’s behavior, both on and off the app

not following these guidelines can have real consequences-from a nudge to a ban

Qualifications & exceptions

• The expectations are stated to cover behavior both on and off the app; this passage does not say how far off-app behavior reaches.
• The consequences are described only as running from a nudge to a ban.

Not stated here

• Which behaviors lead to a nudge, a warning, or a ban is not stated in this opening passage.

Cross-references

• qualified by (model-proposed): Off-Service conduct involving people met through the Service can count — The opening says the expectations apply both on and off the app. The Impact clause states a connection for off-Service conduct: actions or communications that involve others met through the Service.

Account & Service Control · Context

Welcome message frames Tinder as open to adults

The welcome says all (adults) are welcome to come explore. This is introductory framing rather than a rule on its own; the operative age requirement is the later Adults only rule, which states that users must be 18 years of age or older.

Supporting quotations

All (adults) are welcome to come explore.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Introductory framing; the enforceable-sounding age requirement appears in the rules list.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

No nudity or sexual content on public profiles; private chats allowed if everyone agrees

On your public profile, Tinder does not allow nudity, sexual content, sexual desires, or looking for sex. In a private conversation these are okay if everyone is okay with it, and the text adds that consent matters. The restriction is specific to the public profile; the private-conversation allowance depends on everyone in the conversation being okay with it.

Supporting quotations

we don’t allow nudity, sexual content, sexual desires, or looking for sex on your public profile

If you are in a private conversation, these are okay if everyone is okay with it. Consent matters.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Restriction applies to the public profile.
• Exception: in a private conversation these are okay if everyone is okay with it.

Not stated here

• The text does not define 'sexual content' or say how Tinder decides whether everyone in a private conversation is okay with it.

Security & Safeguards · Restriction or exception

Don't publicly broadcast personal information or ask others for theirs

Users should not publicly broadcast their personal information or ways for people to connect with them, such as public displays of phone numbers, emails, or social handles. Users should also not ask others to send them their personal details.

Supporting quotations

Don’t publicly broadcast your personal information or ways for people to connect with you (no public displays of things like phone numbers, emails, or social handles).

Don’t ask others to send you their personal details either.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The broadcast restriction is about public display; the examples are introduced by 'things like', so the list is not exhaustive.

Not stated here

• The text does not define 'personal details' or say whether contact details voluntarily shared in a private conversation are treated differently.

Security & Safeguards · Context

Warning to be cautious about money requests and investment pitches

Tinder tells users that sharing bank account numbers or an email password is always a bad idea, and to be cautious if someone asks them to send money or tries to get them to make an investment, because it is probably a scam. This is phrased as advice and a warning, not as a prohibition on the user; the separate rule against using Tinder to con people or get them to send money is carded under general misuse.

Supporting quotations

Sharing out your bank account numbers or email password is always a bad idea.

Be cautious, if someone asks you to send them money or tries to get you to make an investment, it’s probably a scam.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Advice wording ('bad idea', 'probably a scam'), not a stated prohibition.

Not stated here

• This passage does not say what Tinder does when a scam is suspected.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

No violent content, gore, weapons, or glorifying self-harm

Tinder says it will not tolerate violent content that contains gore, death, images or descriptions of violent acts against humans or animals, use of weapons, and anything advocating or glorifying self-harm. The stated reason is that Tinder promotes positivity.

Supporting quotations

won’t tolerate any sort of violent content that contains gore, death, images or descriptions of violent acts (against humans or animals), use of weapons, and anything advocating or glorifying self-harm

Qualifications & exceptions

• The restriction is phrased as violent content that contains the listed items; violent acts count whether against humans or animals.

Not stated here

• The text does not define 'violent content' beyond the listed items.

Security & Safeguards · Company practice

Tinder may reach out with crisis resources if it sees a risk of imminent harm

If Tinder believes there is a risk of imminent harm, it says it may take steps to assist, such as reaching out directly with crisis resources. The wording is discretionary ('may') and triggered by Tinder's own belief.

Supporting quotations

If we believe there’s a risk of imminent harm, we may take steps to assist, like reaching out directly with crisis resources.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Triggered by Tinder's belief that there is a risk of imminent harm.
• Discretionary: 'may take steps', with reaching out with crisis resources given as an example.

Not stated here

• The text does not list other steps Tinder might take or say whether information is shared with anyone else.

Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception

No advertising, selling, fundraising, or campaigning on Tinder

Users should not advertise, promote, share their social handles to gain followers, sell things, fundraise, or campaign. Tinder frames the service as for personal connections rather than business ones.

Supporting quotations

Don’t advertise, promote, share your social handles to gain followers, sell stuff, fundraise, or campaign.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Sharing social handles is covered here when done to gain followers; a separate rule restricts public display of social handles generally.

Not stated here

• The text does not define 'promote' or draw a line between personal and business use.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

No sex work, escort services, or compensated relationships

Tinder says it is not the place for any sort of sex work, escort services, or compensated relationships, and ends with an informal example telling users not to use Tinder to find a sugar partner.

Supporting quotations

This also means Tinder isn’t the place for any sort of sex work, escort services, or compensated relationships.

don’t use Tinder to find your sugarmamma

Qualifications & exceptions

• Introduced as something the commercial-use rule 'also means'; the phrasing is 'isn't the place for' followed by a direct 'don't'.

Not stated here

• The text does not define 'compensated relationships'.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

No fake accounts or pretending to be someone you're not

Users should not create a fake account or pretend to be someone they are not, and the text says this applies even if it is just for fun.

Supporting quotations

Don’t create a fake account or pretend to be someone you’re not, even if it’s just for fun.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies even when done for fun.

Not stated here

• The text does not define 'fake account' or 'persona'.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

Harassment, threats, doxing, sextortion and intentional harm are not allowed

Tinder asks users to communicate respectfully and, if a conversation goes awry, to pause and reflect before reacting. It states that harassment, threats, bullying, intimidation, doxing, sextortion, blackmail, or anything intentionally done to cause harm is not allowed.

Supporting quotations

Communicate Respectfully.

pause and reflect before you react

Harassment, threats, bullying, intimidation, doxing, sextortion, blackmail, or anything intentionally done to cause harm is not allowed.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The word 'intentionally' appears on the catch-all item ('anything intentionally done to cause harm'); the named behaviors are listed without a separate intent condition.
• 'Pause and reflect' is advice, not a rule.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

No racism, bigotry, hatred or violence based on who someone is

Tinder says it will never stand behind racism, bigotry, hatred, or violence based on who someone is, how they identify or what they look like. The text says this includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, caste, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, body type, or health status.

Supporting quotations

We will never stand behind racism, bigotry, hatred, or violence based on who someone is, how they identify or what they look like.

This includes (but not limited to) someone’s race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, caste, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, body type, or health status.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The list of characteristics is non-exhaustive ('but not limited to').

Not stated here

• 'Will never stand behind' does not itself say what action Tinder takes.

Account & Service Control · Procedure

Unmatch rather than report someone who simply isn't your preference

If someone does not meet your personal criteria, the guidance is to not like them or to unmatch and move on, and not to report them unless you think they have violated Tinder's policies. This is a procedural instruction about when to use reports, not a stated penalty; a separate rule bars false, misleading, or malicious reports.

Supporting quotations

If you see someone who doesn't meet your personal criteria, don't like them or unmatch and move on. Don't report them unless you think they've violated our policies.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Reporting is positioned for suspected policy violations ('unless you think they've violated our policies'), not personal preference.

Not stated here

• This passage does not state a consequence for reporting without a policy violation.

Cross-references

• refers to (model-proposed): Don't submit false, misleading, or malicious reports — The hate section tells users not to report someone who is merely not their preference unless they think policies were violated; the general rules separately bar false, misleading, or malicious reports.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

Harm to other users, online or offline, is taken very seriously

Tinder says any acts or behavior that suggest, intend, or cause harm to another user, either on or offline and physically or digitally, will be taken very seriously, including anything calling for or inciting harm. The phrase 'taken very seriously' does not itself name a consequence. The Impact section adds that Tinder has a warning system, will respond accordingly if violations continue or are severe, and can investigate or terminate accounts, including for actions or communications off the Service that involve others met through the Service.

Supporting quotations

Any acts or behavior that suggests, intends, or causes harm to another user - either on or offline, physically or digitally - will be taken very seriously

This includes anything calling for or inciting harm.

if violations continue or if the violation is severe, we will respond accordingly

including actions or communications that occur off the Service but involve others you meet through the Service

Qualifications & exceptions

• Covers harm on or offline, physical or digital, and includes calling for or inciting harm.
• Impact section: off-Service conduct is expressly reachable when it involves others you meet through the Service.

Not stated here

• 'Taken very seriously' does not specify the response; the Impact section describes escalation only in general terms.

Security & Safeguards · User right or choice

If hurt by someone on Tinder: take care of yourself, then decide whether to report

Tinder tells users who have been hurt by someone on Tinder to first take care of themselves, then take time to decide what they need to heal, which it lists as accountability measures, disclosure, support, or all of these. If that includes reporting the harm to Tinder, the text invites them to reach out. Reporting is presented as one option, not a requirement.

Supporting quotations

first, please take care of yourself, and second, take some time to decide what you need to heal, whether that be accountability measures, disclosure, support, or all of the above.

If this includes reporting the harm to us, please reach out. We are here for you.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Reporting is framed as an optional step the user decides on.

Not stated here

• No specific outcome, timeline or support service is described in this passage.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

You must be 18 or older to use Tinder

Tinder states that users must be 18 years of age or older.

Supporting quotations

You must be 18 years of age or older to use Tinder.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

No photos of unaccompanied or unclothed minors, including your younger self

Tinder does not allow photos of unaccompanied or unclothed minors. The text says this includes photos of the user's own younger self, however adorable.

Supporting quotations

we don’t allow photos of unaccompanied or unclothed minors, including photos of your younger self

Qualifications & exceptions

• The stated restriction is on photos of 'unaccompanied or unclothed' minors; it expressly includes the user's own childhood photos.

Not stated here

• 'Unaccompanied' is not defined in this passage.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

No illegal content or activities

Tinder says no illegal content or activities are allowed, ever. It gives as examples that users cannot use Tinder to buy or sell drugs or counterfeit goods, or ask for assistance to help them break the law.

Supporting quotations

No illegal content or activities are allowed, ever.

you can’t use Tinder to buy or sell drugs or counterfeit goods, or ask for assistance to help you break the law

Qualifications & exceptions

• Examples are introduced by 'This means'; the general rule is any illegal content or activity.

Not stated here

• The text does not say which jurisdiction's law is meant by 'the law'.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

No advocating or participating in harm involving minors or human trafficking

Tinder says it will not tolerate anyone using Tinder to advocate or participate in any sort of harm involving minors or human trafficking.

Supporting quotations

We definitely won’t tolerate anyone using Tinder to advocate or participate in any sort of harm involving minors or human trafficking.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

One owner per account and one account per person at a time

Each account can only have one owner, so multiple people cannot access the same account and each individual needs their own. A person also cannot have more than one account at a time. The stated reasons are logistics and privacy.

Supporting quotations

Each account can only have one owner.

we can’t support multiple people accessing the same account, each individual needs to have their own

one person can’t have more than one account at a time

Qualifications & exceptions

• The multiple-account limit is stated 'at a time'.

Not stated here

• The Guidelines do not describe what happens to an account that is shared or duplicated.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Don't post other people's images or private messages without consent

Users should not post images or private messages from other people unless they have been given consent to do so.

Supporting quotations

Don’t post images or private messages from other people unless you’ve been given consent to do so.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Exception: consent from the person concerned.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): Talking to friends and family is okay; don't publicly share someone else's information — Posting other people's images or private messages is permitted with their consent, while the rule on publicly sharing someone else's information states no consent exception. The text does not say whether consent matters for the second rule.

Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception

Don't post work copyrighted or trademarked by others

Users should not post work that is copyrighted or trademarked by others. Unlike the preceding sentence about other people's images and messages, this sentence does not state a consent exception.

Supporting quotations

Don’t post work that’s copyrighted or trademarked by others.

Qualifications & exceptions

• This sentence states no consent exception.

Not stated here

• The sentence does not say whether permission from the rights holder changes the result.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

No misleading information, harmful spam links, or mass accounts

Users should not abuse Tinder, spread false or misleading information, spam harmful links or unsolicited content, or create mass accounts.

Supporting quotations

Don’t abuse Tinder.

Don’t use Tinder to spread false or misleading information.

Don’t spam harmful links or unsolicited content. Don’t create mass accounts.

Not stated here

• 'Abuse Tinder' is not defined beyond the other items in the list.

Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception

Don't use Tinder to manipulate, con, or get people to send money

Users should not use Tinder to manipulate, con, or get people to send them money or anything else.

Supporting quotations

Don’t use Tinder to manipulate, con, or get people to send you money or anything else.

Security & Safeguards · Restriction or exception

Talking to friends and family is okay; don't publicly share someone else's information

It is okay to talk to friends and family about people you are meeting, but users should not publicly share someone else's information. The text does not mention a consent exception for this rule, although the earlier own-content rule does for other people's images and private messages.

Supporting quotations

It's okay to talk to your friends and family about people you are meeting, but don't publicly share someone else's information.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Exception: talking to friends and family about people you are meeting.
• The restriction is on public sharing.

Not stated here

• 'Someone else's information' is not defined, and this sentence does not say how it relates to the consent exception in the own-content rule.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): Don't post other people's images or private messages without consent — Posting other people's images or private messages is permitted with their consent, while the rule on publicly sharing someone else's information states no consent exception. The text does not say whether consent matters for the second rule.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

Don't submit false, misleading, or malicious reports

Users should not submit false, misleading, or malicious reports.

Supporting quotations

Don’t submit false, misleading, or malicious reports.

Cross-references

• referred to by (model-proposed): Unmatch rather than report someone who simply isn't your preference — The hate section tells users not to report someone who is merely not their preference unless they think policies were violated; the general rules separately bar false, misleading, or malicious reports.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

Don't use third-party apps or technology to unlock features or game the system

Users should not use third-party apps or other technology to unlock features or game the system.

Supporting quotations

Don’t use third-party apps or other technology to unlock features or game the system.

Not stated here

• 'Game the system' is not defined.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

The rules also apply when speaking directly with Tinder, Match Group, or affiliates

Users should not harass, threaten, or otherwise violate these rules when speaking directly with Tinder, Match Group, or its affiliates.

Supporting quotations

Don’t harass, threaten, or otherwise violate these rules when speaking directly with Tinder, Match Group, or its affiliates.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to direct communication with Tinder, Match Group, or its affiliates.

Not stated here

• Match Group and its affiliates are not defined in this document.

Retention & Deletion · Permission or license

Accounts not logged into for two years may be deleted for inactivity

If a user does not log into their Tinder account in two years, Tinder says it will assume the account is not being used and may delete it for inactivity. Logging in from time to time keeps the account visible in the app.

Supporting quotations

If you don’t log into your Tinder account in two years, we’ll assume it’s not being used and may delete it for inactivity.

just log in from time to time

Qualifications & exceptions

• Threshold: two years without logging in.
• Discretionary: 'may delete'.

Not stated here

• The text does not say whether notice is given before deletion or what happens to purchases or data when an inactive account is deleted.

Security & Safeguards · Company commitment

Reports are encouraged and treated as confidential

Tinder encourages users to report someone who is causing them harm or violating the Community Guidelines. It states that a report is always treated as confidential.

Supporting quotations

If someone is causing you harm or is violating our Community Guidelines–report it.

Your report is always treated as confidential.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Stated as 'always' but 'confidential' is not defined.

Not stated here

• The text does not say who 'confidential' is as against, for example whether the reported person is told who reported.

Account & Service Control · Company practice

Warning system, with a response if violations continue or are severe

Tinder says it takes the Community Guidelines and their impact seriously and will do everything it can to make sure people follow them. It has a warning system in place, but if violations continue or the violation is severe, it says it will respond accordingly. The response is not specified.

Supporting quotations

We have a warning system in place, but if violations continue or if the violation is severe, we will respond accordingly.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Escalation depends on continuing violations or severity.

Not stated here

• The steps of the warning system and what 'respond accordingly' means are not described in this passage.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): Tinder reserves the right to investigate and terminate accounts — The warning system and escalation language suggests stepwise responses, while the reserved right to investigate or terminate accounts rests on Tinder's own finding or judgment and states no warning step. The text does not say how the two fit together.

Account & Service Control · Permission or license

Tinder reserves the right to investigate and terminate accounts

Tinder reserves the right to investigate and/or terminate accounts if it finds a user has misused the Service or behaved in a way Tinder deems inappropriate, unlawful, or in violation of the Community Guidelines or Terms of Use. Part of the standard turns on Tinder's own judgment of what is inappropriate.

Supporting quotations

We reserve the right to investigate and/or terminate accounts

if we find you have misused the Service or behaved in a way Tinder deems inappropriate, unlawful, or in violation of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Use

Qualifications & exceptions

• Grounds include misuse of the Service and behavior Tinder deems inappropriate, unlawful, or in violation of the Community Guidelines or Terms of Use.
• 'Deems' signals Tinder's own judgment.

Not stated here

• The Terms of Use are referenced but not supplied in this source.
• This passage states no notice or appeal process.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): Warning system, with a response if violations continue or are severe — The warning system and escalation language suggests stepwise responses, while the reserved right to investigate or terminate accounts rests on Tinder's own finding or judgment and states no warning step. The text does not say how the two fit together.

Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception

Terminated accounts get no refund of purchases

If Tinder terminates an account on the grounds in this clause, it does so without a refund of any purchases.

Supporting quotations

terminate accounts without a refund of any purchases

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to termination on the stated grounds.

Not stated here

• Whether refunds are available under other terms or store policies is not addressed here.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

Off-Service conduct involving people met through the Service can count

The grounds for investigation or termination expressly include actions or communications that occur off the Service but involve others a user meets through the Service. This gives the opening line that the expectations apply both on and off the app a stated connection to the Service: off-Service conduct that involves people met through it.

Supporting quotations

including actions or communications that occur off the Service but involve others you meet through the Service

both on and off the app

Qualifications & exceptions

• Off-Service conduct must involve others you meet through the Service to be named in this passage.

Not stated here

• The text does not address off-Service conduct that does not involve people met through the Service.

Cross-references

• qualifies (model-proposed): Guidelines set conduct expectations on and off the app — The opening says the expectations apply both on and off the app. The Impact clause states a connection for off-Service conduct: actions or communications that involve others met through the Service.