DAILYMAIL.CO.UK – Gary Kremen, a Stanford graduate and entrepreneur, founded Match.com in 1995, launching one of the world's first and most influential online dating platforms. The idea came in 1993, when Kremen, frustrated with traditional dating methods like newspaper ads and 900-numbers, envisioned an email-based database where users could share photos and messages. He took out a $2,500 cash advance and launched Electric Classifieds Inc., registering domains like Match.com, Jobs.com, and Autos.com. Match became the testing ground, and Kremen focused on designing it specifically with women in mind. He interviewed ~100 women and partnered with Fran Maier, who helped shape Match into a safe, clean, and female-friendly space, including features like public meeting guidelines and later, a paid subscription model. The site was originally run on a Sun Microsystems server and grew steadily, even in an era when few people had home internet access. Maier later recalled its rapid growth, up to 4% daily at one point, and its broad demographic reach.
Category: Outlets – Daily Mail
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.
Third of Singles Say They Embellish Their Dating Profiles
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK – A survey by Censuswide found that 36% of singles admit to embellishing their dating profiles, while 37% have encountered profiles that seemed “too good to be true.” Common white lies include using old photos, exaggerating jobs or salaries, and fabricating hobbies. Despite this, 46% of singles ignore red flags, and 11% struggle to spot romance scams. 27% have been contacted by a catfish, highlighting the risks of online dating.
Illicit Encounters Reports Surge in Affairs on First Monday of January, Known as Divorce Day
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK – A surge in post-holiday infidelity and relationship breakups has marked January as a peak period for marital tensions, dubbed "Blue Monday for relationships." Illicit Encounters, a dating site for affairs, reported a 33% rise in sign-ups compared to last year, driven by feelings of dissatisfaction and the desire for a fresh start. Meanwhile, "Divorce Day" sees law firms bracing for an influx of cases, with 80% of women expressing regret for not initiating divorce sooner. Key reasons for divorce include growing apart (54%), adultery (30%), and domestic abuse (24%).
59% of Couples Now Meet Online, Surpassing Traditional Methods
DAILY MAIL – By 2020–2022, 59% of couples met online, compared to just 12% in the early 2000s, marking a sharp rise in internet dating's dominance. Meeting through friends, which accounted for 33% of relationships in the 1960s, dropped to 15% in the 2020s. Workplace romances fell from 20% in the 1960s to just 7% today, while bars and restaurants, once responsible for 17% of introductions, have also declined. Online dating surpassed all other methods in the late 2010s when it overtook friends as the leading way couples meet.
Inside Raya: the Exclusive Celebrity Dating App
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK – Raya, launched in 2015 as a dating app for creative professionals, is known for its exclusivity, requiring referrals and social media clout for membership. Despite its reputation for attracting A-list users like Ben Affleck and Cara Delevingne, the app's allure is fading, with fewer celebrities active today. TikTok and Reddit have demystified Raya's elite image, revealing mixed reviews about its matchmaking and user experience. While some see it as a status symbol, many find it impractical due to distant matches and lack of genuine connections, questioning if the hype still holds up.
Dating App Challenges Linked to Rising ADHD Diagnoses in Adults
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK – Struggling with dating apps could be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD, affecting an estimated two million Brits. New research by Hinge reveals that people with ADHD are more likely to feel overwhelmed and misunderstood on these platforms. Among ADHD daters, 43% forget to respond to matches, often leading to misinterpreted intentions. Experts suggest ADHD users could benefit from being open about communication styles and moving to in-person dates after three days of online chatting. ADHD diagnoses are rising, with prescription rates in England jumping, particularly among women in their 20s and 30s, while awareness has spurred debates on overdiagnosis and ADHD's societal impacts.
New Lesbian Dating App to Use Facial Recognition to Exclude Trans Women
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK – L'App, a new dating app for lesbians, is set to launch using sex-recognition technology to exclude trans women and ensure only biological females can sign up. It is the brainchild of feminist campaigner Jenny Watson, who says there are currently no dating apps which cater purely for women who want same-sex relationships. The software, which Ms Watson claims is 99% accurate, analyses features including bone structure, the shape and positioning of an individual's eyes, eyebrows and nose shape or size.
by Sanchez Manning & Sue Reid
See full article at DailyMail.co.uk
Transport for London Bans Muzz.com’s Latest Tube Ads
Senior Executive Awarded £100K in a Bullying Case Against Fluttr’s CEO
DAILY MAIL – Laura Cameron Peck, a former CEO of a sister start-up to Fluttr, a women-friendly dating app, was awarded ~£100K in compensation after facing bullying from Fluttr's CEO, Rhonda Alexander. The tribunal heard Alexander's behavior led to multiple staff complaints about being reduced to tears and feeling bullied. Despite Fluttr's mission to create a safe space for single women, behind the scenes, Alexander's behavior contradicted this ethos. Cameron Peck's attempts to address the issues were ignored, leading to her isolation and resignation. The employment tribunal upheld 13 of her claims, highlighting the mismatch between Fluttr's public values and its internal culture.
