Virtual Dating Under lockdown: Tinder offers Passport service for free

While people are under lockdown, they are losing physical touch. People around the world are feeling isolated as they practice social distancing. In some countries, they are also told to stay in their homes. Daters are persisting, however, and looking for a buddy they can talk to while home. They may see them in-person, too, when the pandemic eventually ends. Virtual Dating is the best they can do right now, and therefore Tinder is finding a way to connect more people.

In this challenging time, Tinder found that people were chatting more and more now. With increased physically-isolating measures, conversations are also lasting longer. The company also noticed a rise in Tinder-bios showing concern for others (‘how is everyone’) instead of their life motto.

Therefore, the company is making its Passport feature free for all users until April 30th. Passport allows people to pay to swipe abroad wherever they want. It usually costs money to access through either Tinder Gold or Tinder Plus.

In a note sent to all Match Group employees about the decision, CEO Shar Dubey said the decision will give the Tinder community “the technology to share, learn and listen to those that are experiencing this same situation in different geographies during an unprecedented period of isolation.”

With Passport, users can search by city or drop a pin anywhere on the map to start swiping there. The company says it hopes “you use the Passport feature to virtually transport yourself out of self-quarantine to anywhere in the world.”

Here is how it will work:

- Tap the profile icon

- Select Settings

- Tap Location

- Select Add a new location

Using this feature, users can check in on folks in their hometown, college town, or sister city. They can find those across the world who are going through the same things. Tinder in their blog post also said that they are "looking forward to seeing how many people learn how to say “hey” in another language."