Category: Outlets – The Guardian

AI Dating Apps Replace Swiping With Interview-Based Matchmaking

Posted on February 16, 2026
Fate dating app icon

THE GUARDIAN – AI-driven dating startups are replacing swiping with interviews and curated matches. The London app Fate uses an AI agent to question users about personality and goals, then presents about five compatible matches and can coach conversations. Similar services like Sitch and Keeper also use AI to analyse preferences and feedback to produce higher-intent matches. The pitch: fewer options, deeper compatibility. Surveys show interest in AI for safety, but most users remain skeptical about AI guiding conversations.

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US Survivors Sue Match Group, Accusing Hinge and Tinder of Allowing a Known Rapist to Stay on the Apps

Posted on December 18, 2025

THE GUARDIAN – Six U.S. women have filed a lawsuit against Match Group, accusing Hinge and Tinder of enabling a Denver cardiologist, Stephen Matthews, to continue drugging and assaulting women despite multiple reports about him. Matthews, convicted in 2024 and sentenced to up to 158 years, was reportedly able to stay on Hinge, be labeled a “standout match,” unmatch victims before they could report him, and even rejoin Match apps after bans. The suit, supported by findings from the Dating App Reporting Project, argues Match Group’s design and moderation failures “accommodated rapists” by allowing banned or reported users to remain active. Match Group has previously said it invests in safety tools, though product testing shows banned users can still return on several of its apps. Legal experts say the case may struggle due to Section 230, which shields platforms from liability, but survivors maintain Match had the resources to prevent further harm.

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eHarmony Faces Court Over Auto-Renewal Complaints in Australia

Posted on June 2, 2025

eHarmony logoTHE GUARDIAN – The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has taken eHarmony to federal court, alleging the dating platform misled users about subscription costs and automatic renewals. Hundreds of consumers claim they were unaware their limited subscriptions would auto-renew, sometimes leading to charges over $400 and debt collection notices. The ACCC argues eHarmony gave the impression subscriptions would not renew automatically, while eHarmony contends renewal terms were clearly shown near the payment button and in the site's terms and conditions. The case also questions eHarmony's "free" tier, which the ACCC says offered minimal functionality to users.

by Josh Taylor
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Feeld Sees 30% Growth Amid Influx of Mainstream Users

Posted on June 2, 2025

FeeldTHE GUARDIAN – Feeld has grown 30% year-on-year since 2022, driven by mainstream users or "vanilla tourists" exploring non-traditional dating. CEO Ana Kirova warns this could alienate core users but stresses inclusivity. Unlike other apps, Feeld avoids swiping and algorithmic matching. It faces challenges like scams and misogyny, using AI to fight fake profiles. The app is gaining traction with women over 40 (+16%) and Gen Z, who often seek friendship and community, not just sex.

by Rachel Hall
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Match Group Knew About Repeat Rapists on Tinder and Hinge but Failed to Act

Posted on February 13, 2025
Match Group logo

THE GUARDIAN – Match Group has knowingly allowed sexual predators to continue using its platforms despite multiple reports of assault. A Denver cardiologist, Stephen Matthews, was reported for rape at least 15 times yet remained active on Hinge and other Match-owned apps for years. He was only removed after his arrest in 2023 and later sentenced to 158 years in prison. Internal documents show that Match Group has tracked reports of rape and assault since 2016 but failed to act effectively or inform users. Their Sentinel system, designed to block banned users, was found to be easily bypassed. Despite promising a transparency report in 2020, the company never released it. Match Group responded to the investigation by stating that it is committed to safety, using AI tools, ID verification, and law enforcement partnerships. However, independent tests showed that banned users, including those reported for sexual assault, could easily rejoin the platform. In recent years, Match Group cut its internal safety team, outsourced moderation, and prioritized growth, leading to increased scrutiny from lawmakers.

by Emily Elena Dugdale & Hanisha Harjani
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Dating Apps Prepare to Launch AI Features to Help Users Find Love

Posted on January 1, 2025
Dating Apps Prepare to Launch AI Features to Help Users Find Love

THE GUARDIAN – Match Group is increasing investment in AI with new products coming in March 2025 for its “AI transformation.” Match Group’s digital assistant will perform core dating tasks such as selecting the photos it calculates, which will garner the most responses and recommend prompts and information to put in a bio. It will help users choose the perfect partner. The AI will conduct a spoken interview with the user to establish what they want to get out of their dating experience, suggest messages to send to people, and provide “effective coaching for struggling users.”

Anastasiia Babash, a PhD candidate at the University of Tartu in Estonia and a member of the international Ethical Dating Online project, said the increased reliance on AI in dating could be detrimental to people’s ability to interact without it. Also, can Match Group be trusted to safeguard the immense amount of data they are collecting and using to train their algorithms or to remove data bias problems? “AI systems used in dating apps are often trained on data that reflect existing biases. If these biases aren’t addressed, AI could reinforce stereotypes or even discriminate.”

Faye Iosotaluno, the CEO of Tinder, said the company had been taking a careful approach to AI in relation to how it handles data. “I think it does have a chance to really revolutionize how users are engaging. We want to be super thoughtful about that.”

by Raphael Boyd
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Mark Brooks: People need help navigating the huge amount of choices we’ve served up for them. They need help with all the associated decisions; how to choose, communicate, and decipher feedback. AI will become a mainstay for larger dating apps and an enduring USP.

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‘It Feels Like Admin’: Why Are People Falling out of Love With Dating Apps

Posted on December 10, 2024
Dating apps

THE GUARDIAN – ~1.4M people in the UK left online dating in the past year, as experts say users view it more as a chore than a social activity. Ofcom’s 2024 Online Nation report reveals a 16% decline in the use of the top 10 dating apps between 2023 and 2024. Tinder saw the largest drop, losing over 500K users since May 2023, while Bumble and Hinge lost 368K and 131K, respectively. Researchers at the University of Leeds’ Centre for Love, Sex, and Relationships (CLSR) attribute the decline to user fatigue and a sense of detachment from reality. Natasha McKeever, a lecturer at CLSR, notes that virtual dating feels more like a task than a social experience. Another factor is the monopolization of dating apps; Match Group accounts for over half of the 7.27M users of the top 10 apps in 2024.

by Raphael Boyd
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Gen Z Is Breaking up With Dating Apps, Ofcom Says

Posted on November 29, 2024

TinderTHE GUARDIAN – Ofcom reports a decline in the use of top UK dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr, with Gen Z increasingly favoring real-life connections. Tinder lost 600K users, and Hinge dropped by 131K since 2023. Analysts suggest the novelty of dating apps is fading for younger users, who now romanticize in-person interactions. Apps still appeal to younger adults, reaching 18% of 18-24-year-olds, but challenges like safety concerns and overwhelming choices persist. Match Group acknowledges the shift, aiming to create lower-pressure, more authentic experiences for Gen Z users.

by Dan Milmo
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Critics Compare Dating Apps to Gambling, Highlighting Exploitation and Addictive Features

Posted on November 4, 2024

Addicted to love how dating apps ‘exploit’ their users Online datingTHE GUARDIAN – Critics compare dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge to gambling products, arguing they exploit users with addictive, game-like features and pay-to-play upgrades that drive revenue instead of fostering genuine connections. In the UK, 4.4M adults use these platforms, with about a quarter paying for services, generating £150M annually and making the UK the third-largest market globally after the US and China. Match Group, which holds a 60% share of the UK market, does not track how many lasting relationships its 55B matches have produced. Allegations include deceptive algorithms that encourage continuous use and subscriptions. Experts compare these apps' financial models to gambling, using unpredictable rewards to keep users hooked. Match Group denies these claims, stating its goal is to help users form real connections. Calls for tighter regulation are increasing as users report feeling exploited.

by Siân Boyle
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Feeld Dating App Security Flaws Exposed Users’ Private Data

Posted on September 18, 2024

Feeld logoTHE GUARDIAN – Feeld, a UK-based dating app for alternative relationships, had security flaws that could have exposed users' messages, private photos, and profile details. Cybersecurity firm Fortbridge found these vulnerabilities, which allowed hackers with basic skills to access and change user data. Feeld says it fixed the issues within two months of being notified in March and claims no evidence of a data breach. Feeld did not inform users or regulators to avoid attracting hackers. However, they may face further investigation if any data was accessed.

by Rob Davies
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