UNSEEN JAPAN – In Japan, dating apps are becoming a popular way to meet partners, with 25.1% of couples now connecting online. As usage grows, so does the push for accountability, especially around relationship transparency. Some users have faced legal consequences for misrepresenting their marital status, prompting conversations about trust and safety in digital dating. Complaints related to deception have increased, and courts have begun awarding damages in such cases. In response, apps like Tapple now offer optional marital status verification using Japan's national ID system, while the government-backed Tokyo Futari Story app requires full verification. Public support is strong, with many users favoring measures that promote honesty and reduce the risk of abuse.
Month: May 2025
Yuzu Focuses on Real-Life Events to Grow Its Dating Community
EVENT MARKETER – Yuzu, Match Group's dating app for the Asian community, launched in January 2024 and focuses heavily on in-person events to build brand awareness and community. In May, it ran a campaign called #hAAPIwithYuzu for AAPI Heritage Month, built around three pillars:
- hAAPIMeal – food-centered events and a three-part docuseries featuring Asian American chefs.
- hAAPI Business Spotlight – showcasing 50 Asian-founded brands across five categories.
- Wellness – including the ongoing #SelfCareWithYuzu challenge and a yoga event on May 31.
Events were held in L.A., San Francisco, and New York, featuring screenings, food tastings, karaoke, and panels. Feedback showed a high demand for real-life meetups, with 70% of surveyed users asking for IRL events.
Faye Iosotaluno to Step Down as Tinder CEO in July
LINKEDIN – Faye Iosotaluno has announced she will step down as CEO of Tinder in July after nearly eight years at Match Group. During her tenure, she led Tinder through product innovation, AI integration, and brand repositioning. Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff, appointed in February 2025, will temporarily lead Tinder following Iosotaluno’s departure.
Young Conservatives Seek Connection Through Niche Dating Apps and Events
WALL STREET JOURNAL – Young conservatives in liberal cities are attending events like Make America Hot Again and using dating apps such as Date Right Stuff to meet politically aligned partners. These events, organized by Raquel Debono, offer a space where attendees don’t have to hide their views, which they often do on mainstream apps by using terms like “moderate.” Date Right Stuff, launched in 2022 by former Trump staffers, has ~400K downloads. Other events include Turning Point USA’s “The Modern Match” and mixers by The Conservateur.
Happn Launches Paris Metro Campaign Focused on Real-Life Encounters
LINKEDIN- happn has launched a new campaign across the Paris metro network, focused on its core feature: helping users reconnect with people they’ve crossed paths with in real life. The campaign builds on a familiar moment, exchanging glances during a commute, and positions happn as the app that makes it possible to find that person again. The campaign was developed entirely in-house.
J.D. Vance Criticizes Dating Apps as “Destructive,” Citing Impact on Family Formation
PEOPLE – In a May 21 interview with The New York Times, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance criticized dating apps, calling them “destructive” for making it harder for young people to form relationships, get married, and start families. He expressed concern about AI’s role in increasing social isolation and warned that teens may begin forming unhealthy emotional bonds with chatbots. Vance, a vocal supporter of pronatalism, raised these concerns during a recent conversation with Pope Leo XIV, linking modern technology to declining family formation in the U.S.
Dating App HER Acquired by Match Group
BLOOMBERG – HER, the world’s largest dating app for sapphic, queer, and LGBTQIA+ women and nonbinary people, has joined Match Group. Founded in 2013 as Dattch, HER now serves ~13M users globally. The partnership aims to strengthen HER’s infrastructure, improve safety and trust systems, and accelerate global growth, while preserving the app’s mission. HER’s team and vision remain unchanged, and the platform will continue focusing on inclusive experiences for lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, nonbinary, and other underrepresented communities.
Internet Dating Jobs Listing Update – May 2025
OPW – 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:
Bumble
Head of Strategic & Corporate Finance
Grindr
Head of Privacy
Inner Circle
CTO
Match Group
Sr. Director, Head of Growth – BLK
Muzz
Head of Growth
Social Discovery Ventures
Chief of Product
Tawkify
Sales Director
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.
Meetline Launches New Dating App for Public Transport Users
Thursday Launches in Dubai, Expands Across MENA
LINKEDIN – Thursday has launched in Dubai, with Abu Dhabi, Marrakech, and Casablanca to follow. The first event is in two weeks. 113 of 150 tickets already sold, so capacity is being increased. The team is now based in Dubai to lead the MENA rollout, working with Solutions Group and others across venues, hospitality, and fitness. The target is to reach 20K monthly attendees across IRL events in the region by year-end.
