Month: February 2024

Bill Alena Appointed as Chief Revenue Officer at Spark Networks

Posted on February 5, 2024

Spark Networks Bill AlenaOPW – Bill Alena has joined Spark Networks as the new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), bringing with him a rich background of over twenty-five years in the Dating and Social Discovery sector. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Investment Officer at Social Discovery Group, where he was a specialist in Dating and Social Discovery, leading corporate development, investor relations, and the corporate venture capital fund.

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Tinder’s New Warnings Inform Users When They’re Potentially Being Inappropriate

Posted on February 5, 2024

Tinder warningsTECH CRUNCH – Tinder is introducing warnings for users aged 18-25 to promote respectful behavior, focusing on authenticity, respectfulness, and inclusiveness. These warnings, part of Tinder's safety initiatives, alert users about guideline violations and offer a chance for correction, with repeated offenses risking profile removal.

by Lauren Forristal
See full article at Tech Crunch

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Bumble Launches AI Tool to Weed out Scams and Fake Profiles

Posted on February 5, 2024

Bumble for social mediaMASHABLE – Bumble is introducing the Deception Detector, an AI-powered tool designed to eliminate spam, scam, and fake profiles from its dating app. The tool has shown effectiveness in initial testing, blocking 95% of unwanted profiles and reducing reports of such accounts by 45%. This initiative responds to growing concerns about dating scams and authenticity online, with 46% of women expressing anxiety over the genuineness of their matches. Deception Detector employs machine learning to assess profile authenticity, complementing human support efforts. This development comes as romance scams surged to $547M in losses in 2021.

by Rachel Thompson
See full article at Mashable

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International IDEA Summit in Singapore: a Gathering of Online Dating Leaders

Posted on February 2, 2024

OPW – The International IDEA Summit held in Singapore on January 25, 2024, was a hit. Arranged by Courtland Brooks/IDEA and hosted and sponsored by Lunch Actually Group, the event gathered top dating industry leaders from Asia and beyond. Speakers included Shigeru Ishizaka, CEO of IBJ; Zhao Can, VP of Zhenai; Alex Tam, CEO of Paktor; and Haluk Akin, CEO & Founder of Pembe Panjur, sharing their insights on the future of online dating.

Idea Summit Singapore 2024
A big shoutout to Violet Lim and Jamie Lee from Lunch Actually Group for an outstanding job hosting. Thanks also to our sponsors: ParshipMeet Group, RealMe, along with Courtland Brooks and Matchmaker.com, for their support in making the summit a place for meaningful conversations and connections.

Wizz: Tinder-like App For Teens Removed From Apple App Store and Google Play Store

Posted on February 2, 2024

Wizz logoREAD WRITE – The teen-focused dating app Wizz has been taken down from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store over allegations it facilitated the sexual exploitation of minors. Launched in 2019 by French developer Voodoo, Wizz billed itself as a way for teenagers to "expand your world meeting unexpected online people." However, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) recently contacted Apple and Google to report that Wizz was being used for "sextortion" scams targeting underage users, reports CNBC.

by Sam Shedden
See full article at Read Write

Antler Backs Humpday: a New Wednesday-Only Dating App

Posted on February 2, 2024

Humpday logoSTARTUP DAILY – Antler Australia, an early-stage investment company, has invested in a new startup called Humpday. Founded in Jan 2023 by Kara Zervides and Charlotte Vieira, Humpday is active only on Wednesdays, encouraging users to make more meaningful connections through limited access. This model is designed to reduce dating app fatigue by promoting intentional use and real-world meetings. The app's development is underway, with a launch planned for Feb 2024.

See full article at Startup Daily

This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com

Dating App Breeze Launches in Berlin

Posted on February 2, 2024

Breeze Social for social mediaLINKEDIN – Breeze, the dating app that focuses on real-life meetings, has expanded to Berlin after its initial success in Belgium. The app encourages users to skip the endless swiping and chatting by arranging first dates at partnered bars, aiming to create more meaningful connections. Starting in Berlin, Breeze plans to reach other German cities soon.

See full article at LinkedIn

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Ad Matchmaking Potential as Record $14.2B Expected to Be Spent This Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 2, 2024

Valentine's Day spendingINSIDE RADIO – Valentine's Day spending is predicted to hit a record $14.2B, surpassing 2020's record by $100M, according to the National Retail Federation. Consumers are expected to spend ~$186 each, focusing on jewelry, flowers, clothing, and dining out. Online shopping continues to be the top choice for Valentine's Day purchases. ~53% of consumers plan to celebrate, especially those aged 25-34, while 29% of non-celebrants intend to observe the day in some way.

See full article at Inside Radio

Match Group Hasn’t Yet Decided if It Will Opt Into Apple’s New DMA Rules

Posted on February 1, 2024

AppstoreTECH CRUNCH – Match Group is undecided about adopting Apple's new Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules in the EU, which allow for alternative app stores and third-party payments. During their Q4 2023 earnings call, CEO Gary Swidler expressed uncertainty about how the new regulations would affect their business, similar to concerns raised by Spotify and Microsoft. Apple's compliance with the DMA involves a new commission structure, including a "Core Technology Fee" for those opting in. Critics argue that these rules may not offer the expected benefits in an open app market. However, the European Commission has yet to accept Apple's proposal, leaving room for changes.

by Sarah Perez
See full article at Tech Crunch

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