Month: April 2024

Internet Dating Jobs Listing Update – April 2024

Posted on April 30, 2024

Internet dating jobs logoOPW – The new Internet dating jobs listing is live on the Internet Dating Jobs blog.

Below see a couple of this month's most interesting offers:

ParshipMeet Group
  Accountant

Bumble
  General Counsel, International (Maternity Cover)

Grindr
  Managing Director, Grindr for Equality

Hinge
  Design Director – Growth, Platform

Social Discovery Group
  Chief Product Officer (Female Focused Dating App)

Tinder
  Director, Business Development

To see more open positions go here.

Do you have an idating industry job offer which is not included? Please, send it to tips@onlinepersonalswatch.com and we will add it to the list.

Grindr CEO Urges Caution Over Giving out Personal Data on the App

Posted on April 29, 2024

GrindrFINANCIAL TIMES – Grindr's CEO, George Arison, has advised users to be careful with their personal information on the app, especially after a UK political scandal where Tory MP William Wragg was caught in a honeytrap after sharing private images. Arison emphasized the importance of discretion, noting that while Grindr offers features like expiring photos to protect privacy, users must manage their own safety. This warning comes amid a lawsuit accusing Grindr of improperly sharing sensitive data, including HIV status. Arison reassured that Grindr avoids sharing user details for advertising, affecting revenue but ensuring safety.

by Cristina Criddle & Hannah Murphy
See full article at Financial Times

See the top news on Grindr

Exploring the Effectiveness of Dating Apps Between Profit Motives and Genuine Matchmaking

Posted on April 29, 2024

The science isn't there - do dating apps really help us find our soulmate
THE GUARDIAN – The effectiveness of dating apps like Tinder and Hinge in truly helping people find compatible partners is still uncertain due to limited access to their data and unclear scientific validation of their matching algorithms. Researchers Elizabeth Bruch and Amie Gordon from the University of Michigan are addressing this gap by creating a new dating app to serve as both a matchmaking tool and a research platform. Their aim is to explore and better understand the dynamics of romantic relationships. They hope to offer a transparent approach to dating apps, challenging existing models that have been criticized for potentially addictive designs. According to anthropologist Natasha Schüll, these commercial apps are designed in ways that are more about keeping users engaged – similar to slot machines – rather than effectively facilitating meaningful connections. This perspective raises concerns about the business models of these apps, suggesting they prioritize profit over successful matchmaking.

by Laura Spinney
See full article at The Guardian

Cosmic Latte Achieves 21% Growth With AI Integration in LGBTQ+ Dating Apps

Posted on April 26, 2024

Surge ZoeSTARTUP KITCHEN – In 2023, Cosmic Latte, a Czech company that develops LGBTQ+ dating apps Zoe and Surge, reported a 21% growth, achieving a turnover of $3M and a profit of $430K. This growth comes at a time when the broader global dating app market saw only a 6% increase. CEO Milan Kovačič, a member of Forbes 30 under 30 in Slovakia, attributes the above-average growth to Cosmic Latte's emphasis on AI.

by Jakob Ulrych
See full article at Startup Kitchen

See the top news on Zoe
See the top news on Surge

Kaspersky Report Shows How Common Online Scams Are

Posted on April 26, 2024

Kaspersky logoPR NEWSWIRE – The Kaspersky report, "Digital Uncertainty: Scams, Privacy and Artificial Intelligence," reveals widespread encounters with scams across social media, dating apps, and other online platforms. Key findings show that 42% of users have encountered scams on dating apps and 38% on Facebook, with 29% falling victim to scams overall. The report highlights a 40% increase in phishing attacks in 2023 and a strong consumer call for new privacy regulations in 2024. Concerns also extend to the potential privacy and security impacts of AI, with 38% of respondents wary about its future role.

See full article at PR Newswire

Hinge Adds a Way to Mute Messages Containing Words Users Specify

Posted on April 25, 2024

Hinge hidden words
TECH CRUNCH – Hinge is introducing a new "Hidden Words" feature that allows users to filter out likes with comments containing specified words, phrases, or emojis. This feature, similar to social media mute filters, helps users manage online harassment by redirecting likes with specified terms into a separate "Hidden Likes" section. Users can review or delete these comments at their discretion. Currently, Hinge permits adding up to 1K hidden words to a profile.

by Ivan Mehta
See full article at Tech Crunch

See the top news on Hinge

As Scammers Turn Dating Apps Into “Hunting Grounds,” Critics Look to Match Group to Do More

Posted on April 25, 2024

Match Group logo for social mediaCBS NEWS – In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Match Group, highlighting a significant issue: from 2013 to mid-2018, up to 30% of daily new members on Match.com were potentially using the site for scams, unbeknownst to potential subscribers. This case underscores ongoing challenges with romance scams in the online dating industry, which continue to pose a threat despite technological advances. The legal battle also focuses on Match Group's claim to immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, influencing future regulatory frameworks for online platforms. In response to these challenges, Match Group has reported investing $125M annually in safety measures, including both automated and manual screening processes, to enhance user protection and mitigate fraudulent activities. The outcome of this lawsuit and the continued prevalence of online dating scams emphasize the need for ongoing improvements in industry safety practices and consumer awareness.

by Jim Axelrod, Sheena Samu, Andy Bast & Matthew Mosk
See full article at CBS News

See the top news on Match Group

Australian Bumble Experts Debut ‘Give Me a Buzz’ Podcast Exploring Modern Dating Dynamics

Posted on April 24, 2024

Bumble Give me a BuzzMUMBRELLA – Lucille McCart, dating expert at Bumble, and Bumble sexologist, Chantelle Otten, are launching a podcast called 'Give Me A Buzz'. Each week, along with a special guest, Lucille and Chantelle will unpack subjects such as ethical non-monogamy, body positivity, dating with a disability, the intersection between astrology and compatibility, sexting etiquette and digital consent, modern masculinity, dating safety and more. Give Me A Buzz is produced by MIK, the audio experts behind some of Australia's most successful podcasts including Big Small Talk, Two Broke Chicks, Sometimes Funny and Always Awkward. Dylan Adams, head of Audio at MIK says, "Podcasts are emerging as one of the key ways Millennial and Gen Zs consume media, news and pop culture, with Aussies the world leaders in podcast listening according to recent data."

See full article at Mumbrella

See the top news on Bumble

Grindr Sued for Allegedly Revealing Users’ HIV Status

Posted on April 23, 2024

GrindrBBC – Grindr is facing a lawsuit in the UK High Court for allegedly sharing sensitive user information, including HIV status, with third parties without consent. The claim involves ~650 claimants who may receive significant damages if successful. Grindr has been accused of using "covert tracking technology" to illegally provide advertisers with highly personal data, such as ethnicity and sexual orientation, primarily before Apr 2018. The company has responded, stating the allegations misrepresent past practices discontinued over four years ago and maintains it takes user privacy seriously. This legal action follows a 2021 GDPR fine by Norwegian authorities and a reprimand by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office for insufficient privacy protections.

by Tom Singleton & Imran Rahman-Jones
See full article at BBC

See the top news on Grindr

Tinder Introduces ‘Share My Date’ Safety Feature

Posted on April 22, 2024

Tinder Share My Date
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder has introduced a new feature called "Share My Date," allowing users to share their date plans, including the match's name, meeting location, date, and time, directly from the app. This feature lets users send a link with these details to friends and loved ones, which is editable and can be sent up to 30 days in advance. The link is accessible to both Tinder users and non-users, though non-users see a limited profile version. Inspired by the common practice among singles to inform friends about their dates, this feature is part of Tinder's effort to enhance user safety and enjoyment. The rollout will be in U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, India, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Brazil, Singapore, Switzerland, Mexico, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand.

by Lauren Forristal
See full article at Tech Crunch

See the top news on Tinder