Notice on Criminal Background Checks and Identity Verification

Last updated: June 8, 2026

1. Purpose of this Notice

This Notice explains whether and how Fledge conducts:

  • criminal background checks; and
  • identity verification checks

on users of our services. It is intended to provide clear information to our community and to address disclosure obligations under certain U.S. state online dating safety laws (for example in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, Colorado and others).

This Notice applies to the Fledge website and mobile applications (the “Services”).

2. Criminal Background Checks

2.1 No routine criminal background checks on users

FLEDGE DOES NOT CONDUCT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON ITS USERS OR OTHERWISE SYSTEMATICALLY INQUIRE INTO THE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND OF ITS USERS.

Like many other major dating services, Fledge does not routinely search public records, court databases, law-enforcement databases, or sex-offender registries to screen every user who registers an account.

Because Fledge does not perform comprehensive criminal background checks:

  • we cannot confirm whether any user has a criminal record;
  • we cannot guarantee that users have not been convicted of crimes or are not subject to legal restrictions;
  • we cannot guarantee that meeting someone through Fledge will be safe.

2.2 Limited checks and enforcement actions

While Fledge does not conduct routine background checks on all users, we may, in limited circumstances and where permitted by law:

  • review publicly available information, internal data and prior reports to assess violations of our Terms of Use or Community Guidelines;
  • take action (including account suspension or termination) if we become aware that an account appears to belong to a person who has committed serious offenses, particularly those involving violence or sexual misconduct;
  • respond to and cooperate with law enforcement requests, court orders or subpoenas relating to criminal investigations or safety incidents.

Fledge is not a consumer reporting agency and does not provide background check services to users or third parties.

3. Identity Verification and Account Screening

3.1 No comprehensive identity verification for all users

FLEDGE DOES NOT CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE IDENTITY VERIFICATION CHECKS ON ALL USERS.

Most users can create an account by providing basic registration information (such as email address, phone number or social log-in). We do not systematically verify:

  • legal name;
  • government-issued ID numbers;
  • immigration or residency status;
  • employment or financial information.

Even where identity-related features exist, they are not the same as a full legal identity check and do not guarantee that a user is who they claim to be.

3.2 Optional or limited verification features

From time to time, Fledge may introduce or use tools intended to reduce fake accounts, bots or fraud (for example, device checks, phone or email confirmation, selfie or facial liveness checks).

If such features are offered:

  • they may be optional, available only in certain regions, or used for specific risk-based reviews;
  • they are intended to improve trust and safety but cannot guarantee that a user has no criminal history or that they will behave safely;
  • any collection and use of biometric or identity-related data will be described in our Privacy Policy and, where required by law, will be subject to separate consent and additional protections. In particular, where biometric identifiers (such as facial geometry derived from a selfie or liveness check) are processed, we comply with applicable biometric privacy laws, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14), the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 503.001), and the Washington Biometric Identifier Act (RCW 19.375).

4. Your Responsibility and Use of Caution

Even if Fledge were to conduct some form of screening, no background check or identity verification process is perfect. Records may be incomplete, inaccurate, outdated or unavailable. Many offenses are never reported or do not appear in public databases.

You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users, both online and offline. In particular, you should:

  • use your own judgment when deciding whether to communicate with, meet or continue interacting with another user;
  • review our Safety & Safe Dating Tips for practical guidance on online safety, in-person meetings, sexual health and consent;
  • avoid sending money or financial information to people you meet on Fledge;
  • report suspicious, abusive or harmful behavior using the in-app Report and Block features;
  • contact local emergency services (such as 911 in the United States) if you believe you are in immediate danger.

Fledge strives to encourage a respectful and safe user experience, but we are not responsible for the conduct, identity, intentions, legitimacy or veracity of any user on or off the Services.

5. State-Specific Disclosures

Certain U.S. states have enacted laws that require dating services to provide clear disclosures about background checks and to offer safety information to users of online dating services. Examples include New York (Gen. Bus. Law § 394-d), New Jersey (NJSA 56:8-168 et seq.), Texas (Bus. & Com. Code Ch. 106), Florida (Fla. Stat. § 877.21), Colorado (Online Dating Safety Act, SB 24-011), Illinois (815 ILCS 616/), California, and others.

This Notice is intended, among other things, to:

  • clearly state whether Fledge conducts criminal background checks or identity checks on users;
  • clarify that Fledge does not conduct routine criminal background or comprehensive identity verification checks on users;
  • remind you that you remain responsible for your own safety, including reviewing safety tips and exercising caution when interacting with others.

If applicable, additional state-specific safety notices may be provided separately within the app or on our website (for example, Colorado-specific safety information).

6. Changes to This Notice

Fledge may update this Notice from time to time, for example:

  • if we change our approach to screening or verification;
  • if applicable laws or regulatory guidance change;
  • to provide greater clarity about our practices.

When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this Notice and may provide additional notice as required by law.

If you have questions about this Notice or Fledge’s safety and verification practices, you can contact us via the Help / Support section in the app or by email at support@fledge.love.