Tinder, Hinge, and Their Corporate Owner Keep Rape Under Wraps
18 hours ago
- #sexual-assault
- #corporate-accountability
- #dating-apps
- The Dating Apps Reporting Project investigated Match Group's handling of sexual assault reports, revealing systemic failures.
- Stephen Matthews, a Denver cardiologist, was reported multiple times for rape and assault but remained active on Match Group apps.
- Match Group owns major dating apps like Hinge, Tinder, OkCupid, and Plenty of Fish, controlling half of the global online dating market.
- Despite internal safety policies, Match Group did not effectively ban repeat offenders like Matthews, leading to more assaults.
- Match Group's Sentinel system tracks banned users but lacks robust enforcement, allowing offenders to create new accounts easily.
- Tracey Breeden, hired as Match Group's head of safety, implemented some measures but faced criticism for inadequate systemic changes.
- Match Group prioritized growth over safety, outsourcing safety teams and reducing transparency efforts.
- Lawmakers are beginning to demand accountability, but current regulations lack enforcement for dating app safety.
- Matthews was eventually sentenced to 158 years in prison, but Match Group's policies still leave users vulnerable to predators.