NEW YORK POST – George Arison, CEO of Grindr, has endorsed moderate San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and donated $7K to his campaign. Arison stirred controversy in 2022 when he became CEO, and past tweets resurfaced in which he described himself as conservative. Those comments have since been deleted. It’s unclear if Arison is still conservative. But he doesn’t like how California is being run, suggesting the state should have a smaller government or more services.
RFI – France has signed a charter with major dating apps, including Tinder, Grindr, Bumble, and Happn, to combat rising homophobic ambushes, where victims are lured by fake profiles and attacked. The agreement focuses on three pillars: prevent, report, and protect. Platforms will improve reporting tools, retain and share data with law enforcement (even after account deletion), promote verified profiles, and strengthen bans. France positions this as a first-of-its-kind coordinated effort between government, tech platforms, and advocacy groups to tackle targeted anti-LGBT+ violence.
GRINDR – Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court ruled that same-sex marriages performed in other EU countries must be recognized in Poland, giving legal status to an estimated 30K–40K Polish couples married abroad. The ruling follows advocacy from local organizations, supported by Grindr for Equality through campaigns and partner initiatives. Full marriage equality remains the goal.
GRINDR – Grindr shared its 2026 product roadmap, and it’s clearly moving beyond just a dating app. At the center is its AI system, gAI™, which is now built into the whole app. It helps with better matches, improved search (even inside chats), and a Smart Inbox that highlights the conversations most likely to go somewhere. The idea is simple: less time wasted, better results. One of the main features is “Right Now,” focused on instant connections. It shows nearby users who are ready to meet and includes options like discreet posting for more privacy. Grindr is also expanding its premium offering with EDGE, an AI-powered tier that gives more personalized matches, compatibility insights, and tools to reconnect with past chats. Beyond dating, the app is adding more real-world features. Maps will show nearby places like bars and gyms, and they’re testing hotel bookings. There’s also a new Health Center with sexual health and wellness content and services.
LOS ANGELES TIMES – Grindr is rolling out an AI-powered premium tier focused on faster, more personalized matching, with features like curated daily matches, compatibility insights, and chat summaries, while also expanding AI across safety, inbox prioritization, and search; the move is part of a broader shift to become an AI-first company, as competitors like Bumble and Tinder push similar AI-driven tools to attract users.
BESTAIFOR.COM – Tinder’s Face Check reduced user exposure to bad actors by 60%+, according to their Oct. ’25 press release. The FTC reported U.S. romance scam losses reached $1.1B in 2023. OkCupid found that 70% of users view AI-generated profiles or messages as a violation of trust. AI enables recommendation engines. Safety tooling came second i.e. nudity filters, scam detection, identity checks. Now AI is helping users craft profiles and messages.
Does this translate to better long-term relationships. Harvard Data Science Review frames the tension: platforms optimize for behavioral signals – likes, messages, return sessions – not for relationship success. Hinge launched Prompt Feedback in Jan ’25, an AI coach that reviews your written answers to profile prompts and gives feedback. Bumble followed in Feb ’26 with Profile Guidance and Photo Feedback. OkCupid now uses OpenAI to generate new matching questions.
Online dating has moved toward ‘scoped assist.’ Hinge’s Convo Starters, launched Dec. ’25, gives AI-generated tips tied to a specific photo or prompt the other person posted. Grindr is testing Wingman, for profile crafting and conversation starters.
– Daniele Antoniani worked for Badoo 2005-2008 and is a long term team member on the Courtland Brooks team, since 2013.
REUTERS – Grindr reported Q4 revenue of $126M, beating estimates, and expanded its share buyback program by $400M, sending shares up about 4% after hours. The company said it will remain publicly listed after reaching an 18-month standstill agreement with its largest shareholder, Ray Zage, following failed take-private talks last year. Grindr is doubling down on AI-driven growth through its proprietary “gAI” system and a new premium subscription tier called “Edge,” while maintaining a strong free product to attract younger users. For 2026, it plans heavier investment in technology upgrades and expansion into health and wellness services, projecting full-year revenue above $528M, roughly in line with expectations.
THE PINK NEWS – Malaysia has blocked access to Grindr and Blued and is considering further action against other LGBTQ+ dating platforms, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced on 25 February. He said authorities are reviewing legal measures to restrict apps deemed to violate local laws, including those involving immoral or unlawful content. Same-sex activity remains illegal in Malaysia and carries severe criminal penalties under federal and state laws.
STREAMLINE – The paid plan uses AI to summarize chats, suggest compatible matches, detect under-18 users, and strengthen identity verification. It’s priced very high (over AUD 100/month in some markets).
REUTERS – Reuters’ Econ World podcast interviews dating-industry consultant Mark Brooks about how dating apps actually make money despite losing users when matches succeed. He explains the evolution from Match.com search-based dating to Tinder’s swipe gamification, the freemium-to-subscription model, and why apps aim for users to stay around three months before pairing off. Major players include Match Group (Tinder, Hinge, Match), Bumble and Grindr. The industry grew during COVID, now faces payment reluctance and privacy concerns from Gen Z, and is shifting toward more meaningful matching and niche communities. Brooks says AI will help verify users, improve profiles and eventually predict compatibility and support relationships, not just create matches.