After the introduction of vaccine badges to dating apps in the U.S. in May, UK online daters will also be able to add a badge to their profiles showing that they have been vaccinated against Covid or are supporting the jab drive. However, there is no way to verify whether the users displaying the badge are truly vaccinated.

Prominent dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge, Match, Bumble, Plenty of Fish, Badoo, Muzmatch, and OurTime have reportedly signed up for the scheme, in collaboration with the UK government.

If sources are to be believed, some of these apps are also providing additional incentives to those members who claim to have received the vaccine. The incentives are being provided in terms of free credits or access to premium features that usually available at an extra cost, like virtual rose giving, profile boosts and super likes.

Reportedly, Bumble will also allow its users to share pandemic dating preferences including their views on mask-wearing, social distancing and if they are comfortable meeting in crowded area.

According to a recently conducted YouGov poll on around 5,000 adults in the UK, only 28% of respondents stated that they would not date someone who is unvaccinated, with 2% said that they would not date someone who had been jabbed.

However, concerns are being raised regarding the vaccination status and privacy.

In this regard, privacy campaigner Dr Stephanie Hare stated that as the vaccine badge on dating apps is voluntary and does not require official documentation, privacy risk is less.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has reportedly described this new initiative as an incredible asset for Covid-19 vaccination program in the UK.

In England and Wales residents in the age group of 30 years and above are noted eligible for vaccination. It is available in Northern Ireland and Wales to everyone aged over 18. As per government estimates, so far, around 40 million people have received at least one of the two doses.

Source credits: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57379034