Formerly Incarcerated Individuals' Perceptions of New Criminal Background Check Dating App Policies

• In Event: Understanding Structural and Social Hurdles After Incarceration

Abstract

Having a criminal record poses many challenges for formerly incarcerated individuals, including barriers to employment, housing, and supportive services. Formal institutions often use criminal background checks to screen people for eligibility and access, and such screenings are increasingly spreading into individuals’ routine social activities. In 2022, Tinder made headlines as one of the first premier dating apps to enable users to pay to conduct criminal background checks on individuals they match with. In this study, we analyze data from 100 interviews conducted with formerly incarcerated people to examine whether and how participants use dating apps and their perceptions about the new criminal background check policies. This research contributes to our understanding of perceptions of surveillance among the surveilled and whether or not expanding criminal background check availability contributes to further isolation and institutional avoidance.

Authors

• Oscar Navarro, Northeastern University

• Joanna Wahmhoff, Northeastern University

• Shir Eilam, Northeastern University

• Megan Denver, Northeastern University