Online dating has become a mainstream way for people to connect, with one in ten partnered adults in the U.S. meeting their significant other through dating apps, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey. Despite its growing popularity, online dating still carries significant risks, particularly when platforms fail to remove dangerous individuals.
A recent investigative report has exposed serious safety lapses at Match Group, the $8 billion company that owns some of the most popular dating apps, including Tinder and Hinge. The investigation revealed that Match Group is slow to act against users accused of sexual assault, allowing them to continue using their apps and potentially harm more people.
The Case of a Dangerous Cardiologist
One of the most alarming examples uncovered in the investigation involves Stephen Matthews, a cardiologist from Denver who was sentenced to 158 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women. Matthews used Tinder and Hinge to lure his victims, and despite being reported in the app as early as 2020, he was allowed to continue using the platforms.
Even after multiple reports, not only was Matthews not banned, but he was also promoted as a “standout” date on Hinge, meaning the app actively recommended him to other users. He was only stopped when one of his victims took the case to the police. This raises serious concerns about how Match Group handles reports of sexual assault and dangerous behavior on its platforms.
Match Group’s Failed Safety Promises
In 2020, Match Group announced new safety initiatives after facing public scrutiny. The company promised to release a transparency report detailing the number of users reported for sexual assault and other harmful activities. However, five years later, that report has never been published.
Internal documents obtained in the investigation reveal that Match Group executives were reluctant to disclose this information. One employee even wrote:
“The obsession with metrics and having to stick with them is frustrating and potentially dangerous. This is not the way we were meant to work, and people’s lives are at risk.”
This statement suggests that corporate priorities, such as growth and profit, outweighed the company’s responsibility to protect users from harm.
Match Group’s Weak Response
When confronted with the findings, Match Group provided only a brief statement, claiming it was an “industry leader on safety” and citing its use of AI tools, ID verification, and law enforcement partnerships. However, the investigation found that these safety measures were not effective in preventing banned users from returning to the apps.
As part of the investigation, The Markup conducted an experiment:
- Researchers created fake dating profiles and reported them for sexual assault.
- These accounts were banned, but the same users could easily create new profiles with the same name, birthday, and photos.
- Banned users could also switch to another Match Group app (e.g., from Tinder to Hinge) without being flagged.
This loophole means that even someone like Stephen Matthews, if released today, could create a new profile and start dating again with little to no obstacles.
Why Doesn’t Match Group Ban Users Across Platforms?
One of the most disturbing revelations in the investigation is that Match Group does not share information about dangerous users across its platforms. This means that if someone is banned from Tinder, they can simply move to Hinge, OkCupid, or another Match Group app.
Former Match Group employees explained that investigating and banning bad actors requires significant time and human resources, which the company is unwilling to invest in.
One investigator, Michael Lawrie, revealed that he would sometimes spend hours thoroughly reviewing cases but felt pressured to speed up. Instead of hiring more experienced investigators, the company outsourced much of the safety work to cheaper workers who lacked the expertise to detect repeat offenders.
Match Group Knows the Risks but Doesn’t Warn Users
Some may argue that bad experiences happen in all dating scenarios, whether online or in-person. However, what makes online dating riskier is that Match Group has data about dangerous users but does not share it with the public.
When meeting someone in a bar, people can rely on social cues and warnings from others—a bartender might recognize a regular troublemaker and warn patrons. But on dating apps, users do not have access to the same information, and Match Group chooses not to provide it.
In the case of Stephen Matthews, women tried to warn others by reporting him, yet the company failed to take action. If dating app users had access to data on reported offenders, they could make more informed decisions about who to engage with.
How Can Users Protect Themselves?
While the investigation focused on Match Group’s failures, it also raised an important question: How can users stay safe when dating online, given the lack of strong protections from the platforms?
Key safety tips include:
- Keep your guard up: Don’t assume that just because someone appears respectable—such as a doctor or professional—they are safe.
- Verify your matches: Do a reverse image search of their profile pictures and check their social media presence for consistency.
- Report suspicious behavior: Even though the platforms may not act quickly, reporting dangerous users can help build a case against them.
- Meet in public first: Always arrange first meetings in a safe, public place and let a friend know where you are.
- Use additional safety apps: Consider using apps like Garbo, which allow background checks on potential dates.
As one former Match Group safety employee put it:
“The app is not invested in your safety – they are invested in making money. You need to treat every match that you make online as someone who could be dangerous.”
The investigation into Match Group’s failure to protect users exposes a troubling reality about online dating: despite having the tools to make dating safer, companies often prioritize profits over user safety.
The case of Stephen Matthews is just one example of how dangerous individuals can remain on dating platforms even after being reported multiple times. Match Group’s refusal to implement cross-platform bans or publish safety data leaves users vulnerable to harm.
For online dating to be truly safe, platforms like Match Group must be held accountable. Regulators and advocacy groups must push for transparency and stronger protections, ensuring that dating apps prioritize safety over financial incentives. Until then, users must remain vigilant, as the responsibility for safety still falls largely on them.
