Category: Outlets – Tech Crunch

Tea App Disables DMs After Second Data Breach Exposes 1.1M Private Messages

Posted on July 30, 2025

Tea logoTECH CRUNCH – Dating safety app Tea has disabled its direct messaging feature after a second data breach exposed ~1.1M private messages, including sensitive content like phone numbers and discussions about abortions. This follows a prior breach that leaked 72K user images. The company took the system offline as a precaution and stated that the first breach only affected users who joined before Feb 2024. Despite the issues, Tea remains highly popular, ranking #2 on the App Store with an estimated 2M monthly active users.

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Curated by the Courtland Brooks team

Tinder Rolls out Mandatory Face Verification for New Users in California

Posted on July 1, 2025
An illustration featuring a person with a stylized face surrounded by an oval frame, with text promoting a new biometric Face Check requirement for new users, emphasizing the importance of preventing fraud and verifying identities on a dating platform.

TECH CRUNCH – Tinder will now require new users in California to complete a facial recognition scan called “Face Check” to verify their profiles, aiming to fight bots and impersonation. Users must take a short video selfie, which is used to confirm their identity and detect duplicate accounts. Verified users get a badge. The selfie is deleted, but an encrypted face map is stored. This system is already active in Colombia and Canada. It’s separate from Tinder’s ID Check, which verifies government ID and age.

by Aisha Malik
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Sitch’s New Dating App Fuses Human Matchmaking and AI

Posted on June 26, 2025

Sitch iconTECH CRUNCH – Sitch is a New York-based dating app that combines human matchmaking methods with AI. It uses large language models to analyze user data and generate curated match suggestions without swiping. Users complete a detailed onboarding process with around 50 questions, via text or voice. Matches are presented by the AI, and if both users agree, they're placed in a group chat with the bot. Users can provide post-date feedback to improve future matches. The app charges per setup: 3 matches for $89.99, 5 for $124.99, and 8 for $159.99. Profiles are manually reviewed to ensure quality. Sitch has raised $7M in funding, including $5M from M13 and a16z speedrun. The app is currently only available on iOS and operates exclusively in New York, with plans to expand.

by Ivan Mehta
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Bumble to Lay off 30% of Its Workforce

Posted on June 26, 2025

Bumble incTECH CRUNCH – Bumble is laying off 30% of its workforce (~240 jobs) as part of a restructuring plan to focus on product and technology. The company expects to save $40M annually and reinvest most of it into development. It will incur $13-$18M in severance-related costs in Q3 and Q4 2025. This is Bumble's second major layoff in two years – the last was in February 2024, cutting 350 jobs. Despite weak Q1 earnings, the company raised its Q2 revenue forecast and saw its stock rise 20% after the layoff announcement. Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd returned as CEO in March 2025. Match has also laid off staff amid slowing user growth.

by Aisha Malik
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Tinder Launches Double Date Feature to Boost Engagement

Posted on June 20, 2025
Screenshot of Tinder's new Double Date feature on mobile devices, showcasing an invitation to pair up with friends, profiles of users, and a chat interface.

TECH CRUNCH – Tinder has introduced a new Double Date feature that lets users team up with friends to match and chat with other pairs. The move aims to reduce dating anxiety and appeal to Gen Z amid falling user engagement and a 5% drop in paid subscribers. Early tests showed higher messaging rates and strong interest from new and returning users. The feature, tested in select regions, will roll out globally in July.

by Lauren Forristal
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Hinge Bets on Slow Dating and Real-World Connection as Gen Z Turns Away From Swiping Apps

Posted on June 4, 2025

HingeTECH CRUNCH – Hinge CMO Jackie Jantos spoke at SXSW London about the app's focus on reducing loneliness among Gen Z by encouraging more intentional dating and in-person connection. Hinge has seen growth in revenue and downloads, outperforming Tinder in Q1 2025. The platform is testing features like chat limits, profile coaching, and Warm Introductions to improve match quality. A new AI recommender launched in March has increased matches by 15%. Hinge also launched the $1M One More Hour fund to support Gen Z social initiatives and continues to run campaigns and events that promote real-world connection.

by Dominic-Madori Davis
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Tinder Tests Height Preference Feature for Paid Users in Global Rollout

Posted on June 2, 2025


Tinder height filterTECH CRUNCH – Tinder is testing a new height preference setting for Gold and Premium users. The feature, now in global testing, lets subscribers indicate their preferred partner height. It doesn't filter out profiles but helps shape recommendations. According to Tinder, this test supports their goal of more intentional matches and user-focused development.

by Sarah Perez
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LoveJack: New Dating App Limits Profiles to Five Words and Cuts Ghosting

Posted on May 30, 2025

LoveJack logoTECH CRUNCH – LoveJack is a new dating app launching next month on iOS in London. Users describe themselves using five words instead of full profiles. To interact, they can either "Bet On" someone by sending a five-word message or "Hold" a profile for later, with a five-match daily limit. Users set a preset goodbye message that's automatically sent when unmatching, to reduce ghosting. Profiles use fake names, but selfie verification is required. Safety features include reporting, blocking, content filtering, and emergency contact options. The app is launching in the USA and India soon.

by Lauren Forristal
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Dating App Raw Exposed Users’ Location Data and Personal Information

Posted on May 5, 2025

RAW logoTECH CRUNCH – Dating app Raw exposed users' personal data and precise location information due to a security flaw. The app leaked names, birthdates, preferences, and GPS data through a public server lacking proper authentication. The app did not use end-to-end encryption as claimed. Raw fixed the bug after being contacted, but has not notified affected users or undergone a third-party security audit. The vulnerability was due to an insecure direct object reference (IDOR), a known and easily exploitable bug.

by Zack Whittaker
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Tinder to Use Biometric ID Verification From World in Japan

Posted on May 2, 2025

World IDTECH CRUNCH – World, a biometric ID company known for its eyeball-scanning Orb devices, is partnering with Match Group to verify Tinder users in Japan. Users will confirm their identity through World's system, which creates digital IDs based on biometric data.

by Kyle Wiggers
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