LINKEDIN – Dua, the Albanian-focused dating app, is celebrating its sixth anniversary. The company says ~1.1M Albanians have registered on the platform since launch. Over the past six years, Dua has grown into one of the largest platforms serving the Albanian community worldwide, helping users connect across countries and continents.
LA TRIBUNE – Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff says AI can play a valuable role in dating by improving matching, detecting fake profiles, verifying identities, and identifying harmful behaviour. However, he argues that AI companions cannot replace real relationships because they cannot provide genuine empathy, reciprocity, or emotional growth. Citing European research, Rascoff notes that users are largely supportive of AI for safety and matching features, but are far less interested in AI-generated conversations. He also calls for greater scrutiny of AI companion products, particularly those aimed at younger users.
RAKUTEN – Rakuten Viber has expanded Viber Dating across Southeast Asia and Europe after launching the feature in early 2025. Unlike standalone dating apps, Viber Dating is built directly into the messaging platform, allowing users to move seamlessly from matching to messaging without leaving the app. The company says safety and privacy are central to the experience, using photo verification, AI and human moderation, separate dating profiles, and screenshot blocking. Viber also reported strong engagement, with 46% of users starting a conversation within an hour of matching. To encourage offline connections, the company has partnered with local businesses and events.
MARKETINGDIVE – Hinge is expanding its One More Hour initiative, which supports local social groups that help young people connect offline. The company has donated more than $2 million so far and plans to invest another $1.5M globally this year. Hinge said Gen Z spends ~1K fewer hours socialising in person each year than young adults did 20 years ago. The company also reported 28% revenue growth in Q1 2026.
BIANET – Turkey has once again blocked access to LGBTQ+ social networking and dating app Hornet, following a June 2026 court order. The platform has more than 100 million users globally and over 3 million users in Turkey. The move comes less than three years after Turkey’s Constitutional Court ruled that a previous ban on Hornet violated freedom of expression and freedom of communication, leading to the app’s reinstatement in 2023.
AXIOS – A new Match Group survey of U.S. singles aged 18 – 39 found that AI is increasingly being used as a dating assistant rather than a replacement for human relationships. ~74% of respondents use ChatGPT, while 64% say AI helps them improve dating profiles, start conversations, and keep chats moving. However, 47% view AI negatively in the context of romantic relationships, and 40% say they would not date someone who uses an AI companion app. The findings suggest that singles are comfortable using AI to reduce friction in the dating process, but remain skeptical of AI replacing genuine human connection.
LINKEDIN – Match Group’s Face Check has been recognized by Fast Company as a 2026 World Changing Idea. The technology is designed to verify that users are who they claim to be and to prevent previously banned bad actors from returning to apps across the company’s portfolio, including Tinder, Hinge, and Match. According to Match Group, Face Check has contributed to a more than 60% reduction in views of profiles later identified as bad actors and an approximately 40% decrease in fraud-related reports. The recognition highlights the growing importance of identity verification and trust and safety initiatives as dating platforms work to create safer environments for meeting new people online.
LINKEDIN – Linda Kim has announced her departure as CEO of Hyperconnect, the video technology company acquired by Match Group in 2021. Kim had led Hyperconnect through its integration into Match Group and most recently oversaw products including Azar and Hakuna. She announced the move on LinkedIn, where she described her tenure as one of the most rewarding chapters of her career.
NEWSWEEK – Support for same-sex marriage in the U.S. has fallen to 65%, down from 71% in 2022 and 2023, according to a new Gallup survey of 1K adults conducted in May 2026. Support remains strongest among Democrats (87%) and independents (67%), while Republican support has fallen to 37%. The survey also found that 62% of Americans consider same-sex relationships morally acceptable, the lowest level since 2016. Commenting on the findings, Three Day Rule CEO Adam Cohen-Aslatei suggested the shift may reflect the current political climate and changing public expression of views rather than a fundamental change in private beliefs.
