TeleSign and Tinder partner to reduce spam traffic

31 MARCH 15  by JAMES TEMPERTON

Swiping right on a spambot could soon be a thing of the past. Tinder has claimed a 90 percent reduction in spam traffic after it started analysing the phone numbers used to register them.

Working with mobile identity firm TeleSign, Tinder is now able to look at usage patterns for phone numbers and carry out a spam risk assessment. TeleSign's system analyses huge volumes of real-time and historical data on how phone numbers are used, with an overall "spam score" handed over to Tinder.

As well as data on how "spammy" certain numbers are likely to be, Tinder is also using SMS verification to try and make sure that all new accounts belong to real human beings. Tinder said this would stop bulk registrations associated with most fake accounts.

Spam has become a big problem for Tinder, with increasingly sophisticated fake accounts plaguing the app. Bots will typically attempt to strike up a templated conversation before asking users to click on links or call a premium phone number to talk further.

A recent trend has seen some Tinder bots try and trick people into texting another spambot that will then lure them onto premium adult websites. Adverts for escorts and prostitutes have also littered the app.

In July 2014  research published by security firm Symantec revealed some Tinder bots could be making their owners up to £4 for each person who signed up to an explicit dating site, rising to £40 if they then became premium members.

Changes made to Tinder's spam detection system last year forced spambots to change approach. Bots linking to premium websites were detected but most then tried luring people into communicating via text message. Tinder claims that its latest system is far more effective at stopping spambots and, crucially, can prevent them signing up in the first place.

"It's been 100 percent accurate and we've seen about a 90 percent reduction in spam traffic as a result," said Ryan Ogle, Tinder's chief technology officer. He added that TeleSign's system allowed Tinder to look at "billions of phone numbers".

Referenced: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-03/31/tinder-spam