BLOOMBERG – Match Group is facing pressure from activist investor Anson Funds, which criticized the board as outdated and resistant to change, citing frequent CEO turnover and poor execution. Anson is nominating three new directors with strong tech and media experience to push for a strategic overhaul. Match responded by rejecting the claims as inaccurate and defended its board's expertise, saying it's already reviewing nominees and committed to long-term growth. The clash highlights ongoing investor frustration after years of declining market value, with Tinder not expected to return to revenue growth until 2027.
Month: April 2025
Tinder Rolls out ID and Age Verification in France
GLASS ALMANAC – Tinder will roll out identity and age verification in France by the end of summer, aiming to combat fake profiles and boost user trust. Already tested in the U.S., UK, and Mexico, the system asks users to upload an ID and a video selfie to confirm authenticity. Verified users receive a badge, signaling their profile and age are genuine. The move, also expanding to Germany, Spain, and Italy, uses facial recognition tech to spot fakes and block underage users. Feedback has been positive, with users welcoming the added safety and reduced risk of deception.
Global Love Conference, NYC, May 7-8
OPW – This year, the Global Love Conference will be for two days, from the evening of May 6th and all day, May 7th and 8th, in New York. I’ll be speaking. This conference is mainly made up of matchmakers, so it’s very different from GDI, IDEA Summit, or the old iDate conferences. This is more ‘heart and soul’ packed with people who are talking with and coaching high-end clientele that typically pay tens of thousands for matches and matchmaking services and ongoing advisory. I find it very insightful to attend these. I’d recommend joining me, and it’s only $600 (it goes up to $750 soon!) for the two days, which represents a very good value IMHO. See the details here. See you there perhaps. – Mark Brooks
Dating App “After” Expands to New York With New Trust-Driven Features
PR NEWSWIRE – After, a dating app built to reduce ghosting and promote more intentional connections has expanded from Texas to New York and introduced a new Community Verification feature. This allows users to vouch for each other after video calls, with three or more positive votes earning a verified badge. The app, moderated by women, also includes tools like AI photo checks, profile and conversation guidance, a visitor vs. local indicator, and a system that requires users to explain why they unmatched.
Dating App Leak Exposes Sensitive User Data
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK – A major data breach in the ‘Gay Daddy’ dating app exposed ~50K user profiles, including names, private photos, HIV status, messages, and location data. Security researchers found the app’s Firebase database was unprotected and easily accessible due to poor coding practices. The breach puts users at risk of blackmail, exploitation, and even physical harm, especially in countries where homosexuality is criminalized. Though the developer has since fixed the leak, they have not responded to inquiries. Similar issues were found in other LGBT and kink dating apps, suggesting widespread security flaws across the App Store.
Match Group Quietly Acquired Salams, Backlash Grows
TURKIYE TODAY – Match Group quietly acquired Muslim matchmaking app Salams in late 2023, with the deal only revealed in a February 2025 earnings report. The move sparked backlash from users who said they were not informed. Criticism intensified after Match appointed Spencer Rascoff as CEO – the same day the acquisition was disclosed. Rascoff’s past board role at surveillance firm Palantir and public support for the Israeli military have raised concerns among Muslim users. Some communities are now boycotting Salams and urging users to switch to other platforms.
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Tinder Launches AI Game to Help You Practice Flirting
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder has introduced a new AI-powered game called The Game Game where users can practice flirting by talking to virtual characters. They’ll respond to fun, fake dating scenarios using their voice, and the AI will score their flirting skills and give tips to improve. The game is meant to be fun and light, not serious, and is available for a limited time to iPhone users in the U.S. It’s part of Tinder’s push to add more AI features as it looks for new ways to attract users.
App Tea Says It Helps Women Identify Red Flags in Dating
GOOD MORNING AMERICA – A new app called Tea aims to help women spot red flags before a first date by offering tools like background checks, reverse phone lookups, and facial recognition based on screenshots of dating profiles. While it's not a dating app itself, it acts as a support tool in the dating process. The app raises potential concerns around privacy, accuracy, and the ethical use of facial recognition, especially if the information provided is incorrect or misused.