A recent study conducted by *The Markup* in collaboration with the Pulitzer Center’s AI Accountability Network uncovered alarming practices by Match Group, the parent company of well-known dating applications such as [Tinder](https://mashable.com/category/tinder), Hinge, and OkCupid. The findings indicate that Match Group maintains records of users accused of sexual assault but does not take appropriate measures to ban these individuals across its platforms or inform law enforcement and the public.
The investigation brings to light the story of Stephen Matthews, a cardiologist who received multiple reports on Hinge for rape. Notwithstanding these allegations, his account was allowed to remain active, and he was even featured as a “Standout” profile. In October 2023, [Matthews was sentenced](https://www.denverda.org/news-release/convicted-rapist-stephen-matthews-sentenced-to-158-years-to-life-in-prison/) to a prison term of 158 years to life after being found guilty on 35 charges related to drugging and sexually assaulting 11 women between 2019 and 2023. The report also mentions that other women had accused Matthews of similar offenses that were not included in the legal proceedings.
### Match Group’s Awareness and Inaction
Despite numerous complaints from victims, Matthews’ profile continued to be active. The Dating Apps Reporting Project, which was responsible for this investigation, reported that Match Group has been aware of users being reported for drugging, assaulting, or raping their dates since at least 2016, as indicated by internal company documents.
In 2020, Match Group [announced](https://d1sud0deeo84nn.cloudfront.net/WCrxplt63uNCw4hJxqckDJRDN6jH5h41k1BqB3nf.pdf) its intention to release a pioneering Transparency Report for the U.S. in 2022. Nevertheless, the company has not yet made this report public.
### Gaps in the Banning System
The investigation also discovered that Match Group lacks an effective framework to permanently ban offenders. Banned users can effortlessly create new accounts or register for other Match Group applications. Researchers employed various publicly available methods and successfully established new accounts without altering fundamental details like name, date of birth, or profile pictures.
*”Through multiple tests, we successfully established new accounts without needing to modify the user’s name, date of birth, or profile images,”* remarked statistical journalist Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett. She pointed out that the techniques used required no advanced technical skills—just basic online searching.
### Corporate Focus Over Safety
As [Match Group’s stock value declined](https://www.reuters.com/technology/match-group-forecasts-quarterly-revenue-below-estimates-2024-11-06/) in recent years, it was reportedly pressured to reduce expenses. The report suggests that trust-and-safety initiatives suffered, with internal documents showing reluctance to adopt stronger investigative protocols due to worries about corporate expansion.
One instance of this is Match Group’s 2022 collaboration with the nonprofit Garbo to offer background checks on Tinder. However, the [partnership was terminated](https://mashable.com/article/garbo-match-group-end-parternship) the following year, raising questions about the company’s dedication to user safety.
### Match Group’s Statement
In a response to the Project, Match Group stated, *”We acknowledge our responsibility in creating safer communities and encouraging genuine and respectful connections globally. We are committed to investing in and enhancing our systems while seeking ways to help our users remain safe, both online and in real life.”*
The company further added, *”We treat every report of misconduct with utmost seriousness and actively remove and block accounts that violate our policies concerning such behavior.”*
Mashable has contacted Match Group for additional comments. You can read the full [investigation into Match Group here](https://themarkup.org/investigations/2025/02/13/dating-app-tinder-hinge-cover-up).