Redazione RHC : 17 October 2025 18:21
On social media, particular attention has been paid to those websites that allow you to identify an individual’s Tinder profile starting from a simple photo.
Platforms like Cheaterbuster and CheatEye claim to use facial recognition algorithms, allowing anyone to identify a specific user based on a photo and obtain information about their location and activity .
404 Media tested these services and confirmed that they are indeed capable of finding a specific dating account, even if the person hasn’t left any trace accessible through the official Tinder interface.
Such tools are advertised as a way to “monitor a partner” or “unmask a cheater,” but in reality they become surveillance tools. They open the door to abuse, from stalking ex-partners to tracking someone’s movements without their knowledge . The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has noted that such projects are an ideal tool for stalkers who hide behind trivial motives.
Cheaterbuster, formerly known as Swipe Buster, has been around for several years but recently added a facial recognition module. During testing , 404 Media uploaded photos of two volunteers, and in both cases, the system returned accurate results, including where the individuals had actually been . The locations were slightly outdated, but accurate enough, down to specific neighborhoods in Los Angeles and Brooklyn. To perform a search, simply enter a suspect’s name, age, and city. If the data isn’t accurate, you can enable the “similar faces” or “show all” features for a specific age group. The service costs about $20 a month and requires nothing more than an internet connection and an email address.
According to the developers themselves, the results are based on data published by Tinder users, but this information is not accessible through the app’s standard tools. A Tinder representative stated that the company has no affiliation with Cheatbuster or CheatEye and strictly prohibits such use of information . Tinder emphasized that user safety and privacy are a priority and that any attempt at external data collection violates the platform’s terms and conditions. The website’s creators did not respond to 404 Media’s requests for information.
Cheaterbuster actively promotes itself through viral marketing. The videos are gaining popularity on TikTok and Instagram, where bloggers supposedly find someone’s profile during an interview .
The emergence of such tools reflects a shift in the use of facial recognition technology: from intelligence agencies and law enforcement to mass commercial applications.
While previously such databases were created by companies like Clearview AI, who sold their services to government agencies, surveillance capabilities are now available to any user.
Services like Pimeyes already allowed people to search for photos online, and now similar mechanisms are being used to track activity on dating apps. For victims of stalking or violence, this could have extremely dangerous consequences, as they can now be identified from a single photo.
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