US Date Rape Survivors Sue Match Group Over Alleged Negligence on Tinder and Hinge

Six women who were drugged and sexually assaulted by the same Denver cardiologist have filed a civil lawsuit against Match Group, the parent company of popular dating apps Tinder and Hinge.

The lawsuit accuses the company of "accommodating rapists across its products" by allowing known abusers to remain active on its platforms despite multiple reports.

The plaintiffs, represented by prominent attorney Carrie Goldberg, allege that Match Group's negligence and defective product design enabled serial rapist Stephen Matthews to continue matching with and assaulting women from 2019 to 2023.

Matthews was first reported to Hinge in 2020 but remained active and was even promoted as a "standout" match, according to the complaint.

The suit highlights that once a user unmatches another, the option to report disappears, making it easier for abusers to evade detection.

Investigations by the Dating Apps Reporting Project revealed that banned users could easily rejoin Match Group apps without altering their identity details, exposing systemic safety failures.

Despite Match Group's public statements about investing in AI tools, ID verification, and law enforcement cooperation, the company has not fulfilled its promise to publish transparency reports on user safety.

Legal experts note the lawsuit faces challenges due to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally shields platforms from liability for user-generated content.

Meanwhile, Match Group's CEO Spencer Rascoff has emphasized ongoing efforts to improve safety through video verification and AI moderation, even at the cost of some user engagement.

The survivors continue to advocate for stronger protections, with one stating she would rather remain alone than risk further harm on dating apps.

The case underscores the urgent need for dating platforms to prioritize user safety and accountability.