by Magdalene Taylor
See full article at Slate
Mark Brooks: Singles events on dating apps are window dressing and a means of generating buzz if they're done exceedingly well. They are a pain to manage and execute well but should be in every dating app's arsenal to show to the world that they can, indeed, draw a crowd.
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TOP CLASS ACTIONS – Plaintiff Michael Massel has filed a class action lawsuit against Victoria Milan, a dating app for people seeking discreet relationships, in Illinois federal court. The suit claims the app unlawfully collected and stored biometric data, specifically users' facial scans, without proper consent, violating Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Victoria Milan allegedly failed to inform users about data storage practices or obtain written consent. Massel seeks damages and a jury trial on behalf of Illinois users affected over the past five years, citing risks of identity theft and unauthorized tracking due to compromised biometric data.
NEWSWIRE – Dating services First Round's On Me (FROM), Three Day Rule (TDR), and Agape Matchmaking have partnered with Hyde, a D.C.-based Retail Tech company, to provide men with personalized styling advice and curated outfits through their apps. The goal is to help men feel more confident on dates and improve their online profiles by combining fashion expertise with AI technology. Hyde's research shows that style plays a crucial role in dating success, with 74% of women considering it important for second dates.
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OPW – FITFCK, a fitness-focused dating app, has surpassed its fundraising target on Crowdcube, raising £173K from 62 investors, 115% of its initial £150,000 goal, all within just one month. This is part of a larger funding round in which the company had already secured £154,500 prior to launching on Crowdcube. The funds will primarily go towards marketing and technology enhancements as the fitness-focused dating app continues to grow its exclusive community for fitness enthusiasts. Seven days remain for additional investments.
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PRESS RELEASE – Match Group has promoted Steven Bailey to Chief Financial Officer, effective March 2025, while Gary Swidler will remain President. Bailey, who has been with the company since 2012, previously served as Senior Vice President of Financial Planning & Business Operations, overseeing financial strategy, real estate, and business technology. Before Match Group, he held financial leadership roles at Dow Jones. Match Group will host its first Investor Day on December 11th to share insights on its long-term strategy and growth plans.
OPW – Edition 36 of the LTR (Love, Tech, Relationships) online experience will be on Wednesday, October 16th at 1pm EST (New York time).
In this edition, we will feature a fireside chat with Julie Ferman, Personal Matchmaker & Dating Coach, as she joins Mark Brooks to answer "Tough Questions for a Master Matchmaker," along with an exclusive interview with Ethan Martin, Founder and CEO of the dating app Slide.
If you hold a full-time leadership role at an Internet dating company, you are welcome to join IDEA and LTR events for free.
See the LTR Edition 36 speakers and invite page here
Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com to RSVP.
This LTR is kindly sponsored by ParshipMeet Group, RealMe, Dating Through Curiosity, Courtland Brooks, and Matchmaker.com.
LINKEDIN – Zach Schleien, now VP of Marketing at Spark Networks, has announced that Filteroff, the video-first dating app he co-founded, has been acquired by Spark Networks, home to platforms like JDate, Christian Mingle, and Elite Singles. Launched just before the pandemic, Filteroff offers a healthier, more genuine way for singles to connect via video, avoiding the usual swiping and texting culture. With millions of users globally embracing this approach, the acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for the app under Spark Networks' umbrella.
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WALL STREET JOURNAL – Grindr is developing an AI "wingman" for its users, aiming to help with long-term relationship prospects, set up dates, and eventually handle tasks like making reservations. The AI could even communicate with another user's AI before the actual date to screen for compatibility. Privacy concerns are a key focus due to Grindr's sensitive user base. The AI model, trained on romantic conversations, will continue to evolve based on user feedback and will respect user consent for data use. Testing is ongoing, with full release expected by 2027.
