REUTERS - Dutch competition watchdog ACM has rejected objections by Apple against fines of 50M euros ($53M) it gave the company over failure to comply with orders to limit the dominant position of Apple's App Store. The ACM said Apple has complied with most of its demands to open its App Store to alternative forms of payment for dating apps in the Netherlands, but had not met an undisclosed third element of the conditions related to the fines.
Dutch Regulator Rejects Apple's Objections to Fines
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€5,8M Fine for Grindr - Appeal by Grindr Failed
NOYB - Grindr faced a €5.8M fine by the Norwegian Data Protection Authority for violating user privacy, and its appeal against this fine has failed. Grindr was accused in 2020 by the Norwegian Consumer Council of sharing sensitive user data illegally with third parties for advertising. The failure of Grindr's appeal serves as a stern warning to all companies on the ramifications of unauthorized personal data sharing and underscores the urgency for the digital advertising industry to reform its practices and uphold consumer rights.
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SciMatch - AI Dating App That Uses Facial Analysis to Find Matches
WALL STREET JOURNAL - SciMatch, a dating app launched in 2022, uses AI to analyze faces to deduce personality traits and suggest compatible matches, focusing on both similarities and differences in personality. Developed by sisters with degrees in data science and compute science Yanina and Viktoryia Strylets and inspired by research, it claims over 70% accuracy in predicting big five personality traits. However, some experts question its effectiveness, emphasizing that true compatibility requires face-to-face interaction. The app, with 5K active monthly users, offers free services with optional paid extras and has facilitated several successful matches, with users vouching for its accuracy.
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Traditional Matchmaking Thrives: Willie Daly's Legacy in Ireland's Lisdoonvarna Festival
BBC - The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in Ireland has been connecting singles for 170 years, making it Europe's largest singles festival. It takes place each September and attracts a mixture of people. Willie Daly, a third-generation matchmaker, has been instrumental in maintaining this tradition. Throughout his 60-year career, he claims to have matched over 3K couples, focusing on the importance of love in life. Attendees of the festival not only find romantic connections but also form friendships, with many returning annually.
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Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd Shares How AI Will 'Supercharge' Love and Relationships
TECH CRUNCH - Bumble CEO, Whitney Wolfe Herd, envisions a future where AI significantly enhances online dating experiences, focusing on improving user compatibility and safety. She foresees AI acting as a digital matchmaker, with users sharing their values, preferences, and lifestyle to determine compatibility, negating the need to interact with numerous potential matches. Herd emphasized that while Bumble's AI advancements will focus on refining safety measures and fostering meaningful connections, they won't delve into creating virtual partners. The AI will facilitate more precise matches, allowing users to converse with a select few who meet their specified criteria, streamlining the dating process.
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Why Did Garbo Fail? Unraveling Its Unmet Potential With Match Group & Tinder
REALME - Dating apps are facing trust issues due to many fake profiles and a 800% increase in scams. Match Group incorporated Garbo in an attempt to enhance user safety, but despite its substantial user base and noble goals, it failed to deliver. Here's why Garbo failed and how RealMe could potentially fill the gaps left by Garbo.
User Experience Dilemma: Despite having 2.5M users, Garbo provided a fractured experience, forcing users to leave the primary dating platform, impacting user retention and Match's credibility.
Information Dependency: Garbo didn't work well because it needed users to know a lot about their potential matches early on, which is hard during the beginning of online interactions.
Absence of User Verification: Garbo didn't check if users were real, which is important for correct background checks.
The RealMe Solution
Integrated User Experience: By partnering with apps like Say Allo, The RealMe offers an uninterrupted, in-app experience, maintaining user engagement.
Simplified Search Process: A simple click on any profile initiates the search, with no need for users to know extensive info about their matches.
Comprehensive Background Checks: RealMe's extensive scan across 389 data sources offers a complete background check.
User Verification: The distinctive badge on profiles verified by The RealMe ensures genuine interactions and significantly reduces the risk of encountering fake users.
Ease of Integration: The service can be easily integrated into existing platforms.
Garbo's endeavor with Match Group showed there is a substantial demand for trust-building tools in online dating. However, the lack of a seamless user experience and comprehensive services hindered its success. The Real Me addresses these limitations, offering a more inclusive and robust solution.
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Bumble Partners With AWARE to Make Safer Online Dating Ecosystem in Singapore
MARKETECH - Bumble has partnered with AWARE, a women's rights and gender equality advocacy group in Singapore, in a global safety initiative to create a safer online dating experience. This alliance enables AWARE to help in identifying and removing harmful individuals from Bumble, enhancing the app's safety. AWARE deals with cases of sexual violence and tech-facilitated abuse. A new, secure tip line, powered by Kodex, allows NGOs and charities to report dangerous users, ensuring their proactive removal, thus reinforcing Bumble's ongoing commitment to user safety, gender equality, and the fight against gender-based violence.
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Grindr Adds Three Key Executives on the Heels of Record Quarter
BUSINESSWIRE - Grindr has appointed three new executives following a record quarter. Zac Katz is now General Counsel and Head of Global Affairs, bringing experience from law, technology, and government sectors. Tristan Pineiro is the VP of Brand and Communications, with over 20 years of experience in brand building and communications. Solmaz Shariat Torbaghan has taken the role of Director of AI and Machine Learning, contributing her extensive knowledge in AI. These appointments aim to bolster Grindr's growth and enhance user experience by integrating advanced technologies.
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Tinder Launches Guide for Singles in Australia to Navigate Online Dating
MEDIA WEEK - Tinder has launched School of Swipe in Australia, a feature aimed at educating users on online dating. Developed with Chanel Contos and Max Radcliffe, it focuses on building confidence, dating etiquette, safety, and handling rejection. It includes a safety syllabus and consent education, addressing users' struggles with rejection and inappropriate behavior. The initiative is part of Tinder's ongoing effort to enhance user experience and ensure safe, respectful interactions on the platform.
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Tinder Just Added a $500-a-Month Subscription
BLOOMBERG - Tinder has rolled out an ultra-premium subscription tier, charging $499 per month to access features like exclusive search and matching. The new plan, called Tinder Select, was only offered to less than 1% of Tinder users who are among the app's most active. Users will be able to access new features, such as "VIP" search, matching and conversation, that aren't currently provided with its existing paid plans. Match Group President Gary Swidler said at a Citi conference earlier this month he expects Tinder Select to only attract "a relatively tiny amount of new payers," but he said it will have a significant impact on revenue.
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