Match Faces $14M Penalty for False Advertising
Match Group, the company behind popular dating apps like Tinder and OkCupid, will pay $14 million to settle charges with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC alleged that Match engaged in false advertising and other deceptive practices.
FTC’s Allegations Against Match
The FTC’s complaint outlined several key issues:
- Fake Love Interests: The FTC claimed that Match used fake profiles to encourage users to subscribe.
- Guaranteed Love Deception: They deceived consumers into believing they would find love, when many users encountered scams and bots.
- Difficult Cancellation Process: Consumers faced difficulties canceling their subscriptions, leading to unauthorized charges.
Details of the Settlement
Under the settlement, Match Group will:
- Pay a $14 million fine.
- Implement stricter screening processes to detect and remove fake profiles.
- Refrain from making false claims about the likelihood of finding a match.
- Simplify the cancellation process for subscriptions.
Match’s Response
Match Group has not yet issued an official press release regarding the settlement. However, the company will likely need to adjust its practices to comply with the FTC’s order.
