FAST COMPANY – The creators of the AI friendbot Replika have launched a new AI dating app called Blush. Blush is aimed at individuals who are using Replika for romantic and sexual relationships. Blush offers a variety of AI characters with different personalities and attributes, allowing users to chat and go on virtual "dates" with them.
Month: June 2023
Hello Group Q1 Financial Results
PR NEWSWIRE — Hello Group (MOMO) announced its unaudited financial results for the Q1 of 2023. Net revenues decreased by 10.5% YOY to RMB2,818.9M ($410.5 M) in the Q1 of 2023. Net income increased to RMB390.3M ($56.8M) in the Q1 of 2023. Monthly Active Users on Momo app were 106.5M in March 2023, compared to 110.9M in March 2022. MAU on Tantan were 19.5M in March 2023, compared to 25.6M in March 2022. For the Momo app total paying users was 7.8M for the Q1 of 2023, compared to 8.6M for the same period last year. Tantan had 1.6M paying users for the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2.4M from the year ago period.
The Top Internet Dating Reporters in 2022, According to Online Personals Watch
OPW – Each year we take a look at which reporters have received the most coverage on Online Personals Watch. Here's our rankings for 2022.
1. Sarah Perez, Tech Crunch
2. Lauren Forristal, Tech Crunch
3. Anna Iovine, Mashable
4.-10. Natasha Lomas, Tech Crunch; Rachel Thompson, Mashable; Jessica Bursztynsky, Fast Company; Laura Forman, Wall Street Journal; Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune Magazine; Erin Carson, CNet; Sarah Mahoney, freelancer (Media Post)
Bumble Launches Tipline to Enhance Safety and Combat Bad Behavior
BODY+SOUL – Bumble has partnered with Kodex to launch a tipline, allowing victims to report harmful individuals on the dating app. The initiative aims to provide a secure and easy way for victims to report bad behavior, with reported individuals potentially receiving warnings or having their profiles permanently removed. The partnership is being piloted in Australia with a focus on supporting victims of violence. Bumble's efforts align with its commitment to safety and promoting gender equality.
Plenty of Fish’s ‘Gallery of Dick Pics’: a Creative Campaign Tackling Unsolicited Photos
Indian Tech Companies Challenge Google’s Billing Policy
INC42 – Several Indian tech companies and startups, including Unacademy, Kuku FM, Truly Madly, and QuackQuack, have filed petitions in the Madras High Court to challenge Google's billing policy. Google has been sending notices to digital startups, requiring them to adopt its billing policy or face removal from the Play Store. The Madras High Court will hear the matter on June 8, and it is expected that more than a dozen Indian tech companies will challenge Google's notice in the next ten days. The dispute stems from Google's user-choice billing system, which would charge a commission of 11-26% on in-app purchases, significantly impacting the profits of these startups. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) previously directed Google not to restrict app developers from using third-party billing or payment processing services, and it imposed a penalty of INR 1,337.76 Cr on Google for anti-competitive practices.
by Debarghya Sil
See full article at INC42
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Match Group Debuts Archer, a New Face-first Gay Dating App for Men
TECH CRUNCH – Match Group is introducing Archer, a new gay dating app specifically designed for gay, bi, and queer men. Unlike other hookup apps, Archer combines dating app features with social media elements to encourage deeper self-expression. It will launch in New York in June, followed by LA, Washington DC, and a nationwide rollout within a year. The app emphasizes safety by requiring users to display profile photos with faces and employing AI to auto-blur potential nudity in chats.
Tinder Introduces “Single Summer Series” for Uncuffing Season Dating Events
1000 Single Muslims Gather for Muslim Speed Dating Event
MUZZ – 1K single Muslims came together for a speed dating event celebrating the launch of Muzz's Muslim Speed Dating feature.
Match Group Shares Rise 9% After CEO Buys Shares
MARKETWATCH – Match Group shares were up 9%, to $37.47, after CEO Bernard Jin Kim bought 31,400 company shares at $34.44 a share. Kim now owns 48,500 Match Group shares.