Dating Apps Under Fire: Survivors Speak Out Against Safety Failures

Six women who suffered at the hands of a Denver cardiologist are taking a stand. They claim that popular dating apps like Hinge and Tinder failed to protect them. The man, Stephen Matthews, was reported multiple times but remained active on the platforms. He even received a special promotion as a "Standout" match. This is despite Match Group, the company behind these apps, claiming they had banned him. The women argue that the apps create a dangerous environment. They say the apps allow known predators to easily find new victims. The lawsuit highlights how easy it is for users to unmatch and disappear before any reports can be made. This makes it nearly impossible for victims to take action. The lawsuit also points out that Match Group has known about these issues for years. An investigation found that the company had information about the harm caused on its platforms but kept it secret. They promised to share this data with the public but never followed through. Instead, they scaled back their safety teams. Matthews was eventually sentenced to 158 years to life in prison. He was convicted of drugging and assaulting 11 women between 2019 and 2023. The women suing Match Group are doing so anonymously to protect their identities.Match Group has stated that they are committed to making their apps safer. They mention using AI tools, ID verification, and better communication with law enforcement. However, recent tests show that banned users can still easily sign up for new accounts on Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and OkCupid. Tinder has introduced a new feature called Face Check, but it may not have prevented Matthews from returning. One of the survivors, Alexa, believes that better safety measures could have prevented her assault. She no longer uses dating apps and has accepted that she may never date again. She feels that companies like Hinge have the resources to make their platforms safer but have not prioritized it. Legal experts say the lawsuit faces challenges due to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This law grants online platforms immunity from liability for most user-generated content. In the past, similar lawsuits have failed because of this law. Despite these challenges, the survivors are determined to hold Match Group accountable. They hope their lawsuit will lead to better safety measures on dating apps. They want to ensure that no one else has to go through what they experienced.