Short Description
Six women have filed a lawsuit against Tinder and Hinge, claiming negligence in handling reports of a cardiologist who allegedly drugged and assaulted them, raising serious safety concerns for dating app users.
Read Time
3 minutes 30 seconds
Main Article
In a shocking development that underscores the safety concerns surrounding dating apps, six women have initiated a civil lawsuit against Match Group, the parent company of popular dating platforms Tinder and Hinge. The plaintiffs argue that these apps harbored a known sexual predator, a former Colorado cardiologist named Stephen Matthews, who allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted them. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Match Group for allowing Matthews to utilize these platforms despite multiple reports of his criminal behavior.
The lawsuit filed in Denver district court accuses Tinder and Hinge of “accommodating rapists” by failing to adequately address repeated reports regarding Matthews. According to the women, even after assurances from Match Group that Matthews had been permanently banned, his profile remained active, enabling him to continue matching with unsuspecting users. This paints a troubling picture of dating app safety, raising critical questions about how such platforms manage user reports and protect their clientele from potential harm.
Further complicating matters, the plaintiffs have accused Hinge of having a “defective” reporting system. They argue that users can easily unmatch with someone before filing a report, effectively rendering the reporting option unavailable. Additionally, the lawsuit states that banned users can create new accounts without altering their identifiable information, which compromises the safety of current users. This has led the women to claim that these platforms serve as a “breeding ground for sexual predators,” allowing known offenders to operate with minimal oversight.
Stephen Matthews, first reported to Hinge in 2020, continued to remain active on dating apps until 2023, when he was finally convicted of serious charges related to his actions. The plaintiffs believe that Match Group had the resources and obligation to prevent such incidents from occurring. One survivor noted that while she was aware of Matthews’ history after her encounter, it was evident that Hinge could have acted sooner to prevent further assaults.
In light of accusations of negligence and inadequate safety measures, Match Group has stated its commitment to improving user safety through initiatives like AI moderation and enhanced identity verification. However, the lawsuit’s primary aim is to prompt meaningful changes in how dating applications manage safety reports and foster a healthier user environment. As one survivor poignantly stated, “Using a dating app should not mean accepting preventable danger.”
Short Summary
The ongoing lawsuit against Tinder and Hinge highlights serious negligence in handling reports of sexual violence. As survivors seek justice, the implications for dating app safety protocols and user protection continue to unfold, stressing the urgent need for reform within the industry.
