BUSINESS INSIDER – Singles and startups are experimenting with new models that move beyond swiping. In San Francisco, Patricia Tani drew attention by offering a $200 bounty for a curated Valentine’s date, generating hundreds of applications and leading to a real-world match. At the same time, Known uses voice-based AI interviews to gather detailed insights on users and delivers one curated match at a time, aiming to replace large pools of options with smaller, more focused matches.
I AM EXPAT – Starting in April 2026, Tinder users in the Netherlands will be required to submit a face scan to use the dating app. The scan will be used to prevent catfishing, but there are concerns about privacy risks. The new privacy policy states that these AI face scans will be stored on US servers for as long as an account exists on the app and can be shared with third parties “when necessary to resolve issues or ensure that the service continues to function properly”.
PRESS RELEASE – Julie Ferman, a professional matchmaker and dating coach since 1990, has announced the expansion of her signature 30-Day Virtual Boot Camp. The program is designed to help singles develop social magnetism, effective communication, and proactive dating strategies. Originally based in LA since 2001, Ferman expanded her operations with a hub in Santa Fe in 2016 and later Denver in 2025. Her Virtual Boot Camp now serves clients throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
OPW – That's what Courtland Brooks does for dating companies. Also online matchmaking and social discovery companies. We also occasionally work for best-in-class vendors who want to approach the dating industry. We're special because we have faithfully run Online Personals Watch since 2004. We know the dating industry, and recruit people to Courtland Brooks once they leave the industry (and start to miss it).
For the price of a marketing manager you can get access to a seasoned team of online dating professionals. See Testimonials here. See pricing and service overview. Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com or simply book an opening call here.
TECH CRUNCH – Sonder is a new social and dating app designed to feel more authentic and less like traditional swipe apps. It uses a deliberately slow, effort-heavy sign-up process to filter out low-intent users. Profiles are unstructured, more like creative mood boards than standard bios. The app focuses on real connections through both online matching and quirky in-person events. It uses light AI for match suggestions but avoids automation that removes human effort. Early traction is small but organic, with a growing community in London and no paid marketing.
INSURANCE BUSINESS MAG – Match Group has sued insurance broker Marsh USA, alleging it failed to notify insurer Beazley of a claim before a policy expired in 2016, resulting in a denial of coverage. The dispute stems from a lawsuit over Tinder’s “Super Like” feature. Tinder’s broker submitted notice after the policy expired, and courts later ruled the claim should have been reported earlier. After losing its case against Beazley, Match Group is now seeking ~$4M in damages and legal fees from Marsh.
DESIBLITZ – The League, an exclusive dating app, has launched in India, starting in Mumbai and Delhi. This marks its first expansion into Asia. The app targets ambitious professionals and uses an invite-only model. Users are vetted through LinkedIn, waitlists, and referrals. Matches are limited and curated to encourage intentional dating. The launch has sparked debate. Critics say it promotes elitism and “dating by résumé.” Supporters argue it helps like-minded people connect. The app is likely to appeal mainly to urban professionals as India’s dating culture continues to evolve.
EIN PRESSWIRE – Plus 1 is a social app for meeting people. It focuses on real-life plans instead of swiping. Users post what they want to do, like dinner, workouts, or events. Others join those plans. This turns online activity into in-person connections. The company celebrated 10K downloads and six months of growth with a private Miami Music Week penthouse event. It also launched a premium tier to boost visibility and improve matches. The app is growing in South Florida and preparing to expand.
INC – Match Group has agreed to settle an FTC lawsuit alleging that OkCupid shared millions of users’ personal data, including photos, with Clarifai in 2014 to train facial recognition systems without proper consent, despite privacy policies suggesting otherwise. The data reportedly included ~3M images along with demographic and location information. Under the settlement, Match must improve how it discloses and handles user data and implement compliance measures under oversight. The company does not admit wrongdoing, and the agreement is pending court approval.
CBS NEWS – Colorado passed a new law requiring social media and online dating companies to respond quickly to law enforcement warrants. Companies must acknowledge a warrant within 8 hours and comply within 72 hours, while maintaining a 24/7 law enforcement hotline. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to $250K. The law was driven by parents, including Matt Riviere, whose sons died from counterfeit drugs bought online, and aims to improve accountability and safety. A related proposal would require platforms to report user threats to law enforcement.