THE I PAPER - Starting later this month, Grindr will implement strict biometric age verification to ensure all users are 18+. This change follows pressure from UK media regulator Ofcom, which is cracking down on adult content platforms under the Online Safety Act. Previously, users could join by simply entering a birth date, allowing underage users, including some as young as 12, to access the app. The decision was spurred by an investigation that uncovered over 130 UK police reports of child abuse linked to Grindr since 2019. The new process will require users to submit a video selfie alongside an official ID.