Category: All UK & Europe

Dating Apps to Add Age Checks in the UK

Posted on July 24, 2025

Age verification is comingMASHABLE – Starting July 25, dating apps in the UK must implement age verification under the Online Safety Act. Feeld will use Yoti to confirm user age via phone number or selfie, without storing personal data. Tinder will require a clear face photo and may request ID if age can't be verified. Bumble says it already enforces strict age checks and uses selfie and ID verification. Hinge will scan a face photo to confirm users are 18+, storing it for up to three months, with results kept for a year. Rollouts in the U.S. and EU may follow based on regional laws.

See full article at Mashable

Summarized by the Courtland Brooks team

Study Finds Reform UK Voters More Dateable Than Tories Among Under-40s

Posted on May 19, 2025
Bar chart displaying dating success rates by political party, comparing match rates of 10,000+ dating profiles. Labour at 52%, Greens at 51%, Liberal Democrats at 49%, Reform UK at 39%, and Conservative at 35%.

METRO.CO.UK – A study by the University of Southampton and Harvard found that UK dating app users aged 18–40 are more open to dating Reform UK supporters than Conservatives, especially among younger, left-leaning users. While Labour, Green, and Lib Dem voters get more matches overall, Conservative support is now seen as more of a red flag. Experts say political alignment matters more in long-term relationships, but dating across party lines can sometimes shift views over time.

by Rachel Moss
See full article at Metro.co.uk

Match Group Joins Stop Scams UK to Tackle Fraud Alongside Amazon, Meta, and Google

Posted on May 5, 2025

Stop Scams UK
LINKEDIN – Match Group has joined forces with leading UK tech, telecom, and finance companies as part of Stop Scams UK's renewed commitment to tackling fraud. By supporting intelligence-sharing pilots and cross-sector data exchange, Match Group is focused on helping dating platforms detect and prevent scams before they reach users. The goal: stronger consumer protection, better coordination, and safer online experiences across the board.

See full article at LinkedIn

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Showcasing the UK’s Most Loathed Dating App Messages at a Pop-Up Museum

Posted on July 25, 2024

Breeze The Museum of Dead ChatLINKEDIN – A unique pop-up museum in London is set to showcase the UK's most loathed dating app messages, from cringeworthy opening lines to the nation's biggest icks. Hosted by Breeze, the museum highlights the common pitfalls of online dating communication and aims to inspire better interactions. The event will be held at 59 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 3DZ, on Thursday, July 25th from 2-6pm, and Friday, July 26th from 10am-8pm. Visitors can explore the exhibits and share their own dead chat experiences. Breeze, a new dating app from the Netherlands, recently raised €1.3M to promote offline dates for more meaningful connections. After success in Belgium and Berlin, Breeze is expanding to London.

See full article at LinkedIn

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Russia to Launch Government-backed Dating Site

Posted on July 19, 2024

Sputnik is a new Russian dating appINTELLINEWS – A group of Russian developers is working on a new dating app called Sputnik, which requires users to pass thorough background checks for tax debts, alimony and unpaid loans before making any matches. The app is supported by the National Technology Initiative (NTI), a platform created by Russian President Putin to boost the country's technology sector.

See full article at MSN.com

Major Campaign to Fight Fraud Launched in the UK

Posted on February 13, 2024

GOV.UK – The "Stop! Think Fraud" national campaign, launched on Feb 12, 2024 by the Home Office and supported by counter-fraud experts, aims to combat fraud, which accounts for 40% of crime in England and Wales. The campaign introduces an online hub offering clear anti-fraud advice and support for victims. Key supporters include Match Group, alongside other major stakeholders, underlining the collaborative effort to address the UK's most prevalent crime.

See full article at Gov.uk

See the top news on Match Group

Rising Dating Scams in Netherlands: ~€7.6 Million Lost in 2023

Posted on January 30, 2024

Rising Dating Scams in Netherlands: ~€7.6 Million Lost in 2023NL TIMES – In 2023, Dutch victims lost ~€7.6M to dating scams, a 75% increase from the previous year. Of the 494 reported victims, 264 suffered financial damage, with average losses of €30K each. This rise is linked to investment fraud tactics used by scammers. To tackle this, the Fraud Help Desk, in collaboration with Tinder and Victim Support Netherlands, launched a campaign to educate online daters about spotting fraud.

See full article at NL Times

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Swedish Dating App Relate Shifts to Exclusive Matchmaking

Posted on November 14, 2023

Relate logoOPW – Relate, a Swedish dating app focused on long-term relationships, is undergoing a major transformation. Despite its unique approach and previous funding rounds totaling $2.3M from various investors, Relate struggled to attract a wide user base. Stepping in to steer the company in a new direction is Swedish leading matchmaker Lemarc Thomas, known for his current role at SVT. Thomas plans to shut down the existing Relate app and introduce a new matchmaking model which will involve a significant investment from users, requiring a five-figure sum for those seeking to find their ideal match.

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Authentic Video Speed Dating With Noii

Posted on March 7, 2023

Noii logoNAU.CH – Swiss start-up noii offers video speed dating instead of swiping and chatting. The platform allows users to meet seven singles for six minutes each, giving them a more authentic impression through voice, facial expressions, and gestures. The goal is to get singles into real life as quickly as possible, with almost 80% of matches resulting in a real-life date. Noii also organizes offline dating events. The start-up was presented on the television show "Lion's Cave," but the promised million-dollar deal fell through. However, the founders continue to pursue their vision of a better dating world.

See full article at Nau.ch

Hinge Is Launching in Germany

Posted on September 2, 2022

Hinge logo for social mediaCASCHYS BLOG – Hinge, a dating app that is designed to be deleted, is now available in Germany. In 2021, Hinge was among the fastest-growing apps in the US, UK, and Australia.

by André Westphal
See full article at Caschys Blog

See the top news on Hinge