If you’re feeling a bit cooped up (and single), Tinder has made its ‘passport’ feature free for all users during lockdown. Meaning, you can match with anyone, anywhere in the world, from your couch (or bed, no judgement here).
A lot of Tinder users have had to cancel dates and travel plans amid the coronavirus pandemic. In an effort to tackle loneliness and keep romance alive, Tinder has made their usually paid-for passport feature free. This allows users to change their location to anywhere in the world, so, you can still virtually meet people from other countries, no matter where you’re swiping. And then, after a few virtual dates and once travel restrictions are lifted, plan a lovely trip to meet your new flame.
Although Tinder settings are usually programmed to help users find potential love interests nearby, the dating app has switched up their free model so that users can drop a pin anywhere in the world and get chatting to others in that location. While you can only swipe in one location at a time, users can change destinations as many times as they like. With more social spaces closing around the world, the average length of Tinder conversations has increased globally by 25%.
Tinder’s CEO, Elie Seidman said in a statement about this change: “We hope our members, many of whom are anxious and looking for more human connection, can use Passport to transport themselves out of self-quarantine or isolation to anywhere in the world.
“We're inspired by how people are using Tinder to be there for each other, and we want to fan these flames of social solidarity.”
Keep up to date with Lonely Planet's latest travel-related COVID-19 news here.
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