tech
US date rape survivors file lawsuit accusing Hinge and Tinder of ‘accommodating rapists’
Civil suit, citing the Dating App Reporting Project, argues that dating apps could kick off serial rapists but don’t
TL;DR
- Six women are suing Match Group, alleging negligence and a defective product that facilitates sexual predators on apps like Tinder and Hinge.
- The lawsuit stems from a cardiologist, Stephen Matthews, who drugged and sexually assaulted 11 women between 2019 and 2023, despite being reported to Hinge multiple times.
- An investigation by the Dating App Reporting Project found that banned users could easily rejoin Match Group apps, and the company had scaled back safety teams.
- Match Group previously stated they are committed to safety and use tools like AI and ID verification, but a lawsuit faces challenges due to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
- One victim, Alexa, expressed that she would never date again and would prefer to be alone to ensure her safety, believing the company had the resources to prevent her assault.