Match Group Settles FTC Case Over Alleged Sharing of OkCupid User Data for AI Training

Posted on April 1, 2026
OkCupid

INC –  Match Group has agreed to settle an FTC lawsuit alleging that OkCupid shared millions of users’ personal data, including photos, with Clarifai in 2014 to train facial recognition systems without proper consent, despite privacy policies suggesting otherwise. The data reportedly included ~3M images along with demographic and location information. Under the settlement, Match must improve how it discloses and handles user data and implement compliance measures under oversight. The company does not admit wrongdoing, and the agreement is pending court approval.

See full article at INC

Colorado Law Forces Social Platforms to Act on Warrants

Posted on April 1, 2026
Governor Jared Polis signing legislation at a ceremony in Colorado, surrounded by supporters and officials holding photographs.

CBS NEWS – Colorado passed a new law requiring social media and online dating companies to respond quickly to law enforcement warrants. Companies must acknowledge a warrant within 8 hours and comply within 72 hours, while maintaining a 24/7 law enforcement hotline. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to $250K. The law was driven by parents, including Matt Riviere, whose sons died from counterfeit drugs bought online, and aims to improve accountability and safety. A related proposal would require platforms to report user threats to law enforcement.

See full article at CBS News

Christian Mingle, JDate Owner Brings German Insolvency to US

Posted on April 1, 2026
Logo of Spark Networks

BLOOMBERG LAW – Spark Networks Services GmbH, which operates platforms like Christian Mingle, JDate, and Zoosk, has filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the United States to have its German insolvency proceedings recognized. The filing follows a failed restructuring attempt in 2024 and the withdrawal of funding by its main lender, MGG Investment Group. The company intends to sell its assets while continuing to operate during the process.

See full article at Bloomberg Law

PositiveSingles Launches STD Testing Day on April 1 to Raise Awareness

Posted on April 1, 2026
PositiveSingles STD Testing Day

PRESS RELEASE – PositiveSingles is launching STD Testing Day on April 1 to raise awareness around sexual health and encourage timely testing. The campaign message – your health is no April Fool’s joke- underscores the importance of regular testing. It also promotes accessible, affordable at-home testing and supports more open, stigma-free conversations about sexual health.

See full article at Ein Presswire

Online Dating Jobs Listing Update – March 2026

Posted on March 31, 2026
job offers

OPW – An update to the online dating jobs listing is live here.

Below, see a couple of this month’s most interesting offers:
HubPeople – CRM Manager
Bumble – Associate Director, Performance Marketing (User Acquisition)
Grindr – Director of Government Affairs
Hinge – Director of Product Design, Trust & Safety
Match Group – Director, Talent Acquisition
Overtone – Head of Communications
ParshipMeet Group – Vice President Controlling & FP&A
Social Discovery Ventures – Head of Product (Muslima)
Tinder – VP, Business Development

Do you have an idating industry job offer that is not included? Please, send it to tips@onlinepersonalswatch.com and we will add it to the list.

France Signs Charter With Dating Apps to Fight Homophobic Ambushes

Posted on March 30, 2026
France signs charter with dating apps to fight homophobic ambushes

RFI – France has signed a charter with major dating apps, including Tinder, Grindr, Bumble, and Happn, to combat rising homophobic ambushes, where victims are lured by fake profiles and attacked. The agreement focuses on three pillars: prevent, report, and protect. Platforms will improve reporting tools, retain and share data with law enforcement (even after account deletion), promote verified profiles, and strengthen bans. France positions this as a first-of-its-kind coordinated effort between government, tech platforms, and advocacy groups to tackle targeted anti-LGBT+ violence.

See full article at RFI

Anchor: Student-Built Dating App Focuses on Real Dates Over Swipes

Posted on March 30, 2026
Anchor app

THE DAILY TAR HEEL – Anchor is a dating app built by UNC students that shifts focus from swiping to actually going on dates. Instead of random matches, users answer personality-based questions and choose real date ideas (e.g., brunch, café, museum), then get matched with people interested in the same experience. The app creates a simple “Anchor card” profile. Currently limited to UNC, the team is gaining traction quickly and plans to expand to other universities, with future features including AI-powered date recommendations based on feedback.

See full article at The Daily Tar Heel

Spencer Rascoff Restructures Tinder as Match Group Faces Decline

Posted on March 27, 2026
Logo of Match Group

BUSINESS INSIDER –  Spencer Rascoff has reshaped Tinder over the past year, taking over from Faye Iosotaluno. He is reorganizing the company into smaller, flatter teams, and operating it more like a startup. At the same time, Justin McLeod and Hesam Hosseini have exited, with the COO role not being replaced. The shift comes as Match Group faces pressure, with its stock falling from ~$150 to $30 and removal from the S&P 500, while Tinder downloads declined from 61M in 2021 to 48Min 2025. Meanwhile, Hinge is growing and on track to become a billion-dollar business. Rascoff is focusing on Gen Z and pushing new features to reverse Tinder’s slowdown and re-energize the app.

See full article at Business Insider

Hinge CEO Jackie Jantos on Dating and AI Replacing Human Connection

Posted on March 27, 2026
Hinge Jackie Jantos

NEWSWEEK –  Jackie Jantos says AI is increasingly replacing small, vulnerable conversations that build real relationships, as young people use tools like ChatGPT instead of turning to friends. She points to declining in-person interaction among Gen Z and argues that technology removes the “messiness” needed for intimacy. While AI can mimic empathy and conversation, it lacks real reciprocity and shared experience. At Hinge, Jantos is focusing on intentional friction, real-world connection, and product design that pushes users toward actual relationships rather than more time on the app.

See full article at Newsweek

Tinder Requires Facial Scan for New UK Users

Posted on March 27, 2026
Tinder Face Check

MASHABLE – New Tinder users in the UK must complete a facial scan to sign up, using a feature called Face Check. Users take a video selfie, which is checked against their profile photos and used to detect duplicate accounts, after which they receive a verification badge. The requirement is already in place in the U.S., Canada, Australia, India, and other regions. The rollout follows earlier verification steps, including photo, video, and ID checks, and aligns with new UK regulations such as the Online Safety Act.

See full article at Mashable