Match.com controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
TikTok campaign ruled sexist by the ASA
The Advertising Standards Authority banned a campaign showing a woman performing a series of domestic and caretaking tasks for a male partner. The regulator found that the presentation reinforced outdated gender roles.
2021
Match Group settles automatic-renewal lawsuit
Settlement
Match Group agreed to pay $2 million to settle a civil lawsuit alleging that it charged customers for automatic renewals without their expressed consent. It also agreed to disclose renewal terms clearly, obtain affirmative consent, and provide an easy cancellation option. The company did not admit wrongdoing.
Source excerpt
Match Group Inc., an online dating company, will pay $2 million to settle a civil lawsuit that alleges the company charged customers for automatic renewal without their expressed consent.
Match Group agreed to clearly disclose its automatic renewal terms and to get consumers affirmative consent to the terms through a checkbox before charging for an automatic renewal or continuous service. Customers must also be given an easy option to cancel their service. The company has not admitted to any wrongdoing.
2019
FTC sues Match Group over allegedly fake-profile ads
Lawsuit filed
In 2019, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued Match Group. According to the FTC, the company knowingly sent automated advertisements expressing interest from accounts it knew were likely fake, and it made subscription cancellations difficult. The allegations concern the advertising and cancellation practices described in the lawsuit; the source does not state a resolution or outcome.
Company response
Denial — Match.com
Match.com called the allegations “meritless” and said the complaint contains misleading characterizations of how the company deals with scam accounts on its system.
Source excerpt
In a statement it called that the FTC’s claims “outrageous,” and said it plans to “vigorously” defend itself in court.
The FTC also alleged that Match didn’t adequately disclose the requirements that consumers needed to get Match’s offer of free six-month subscription if they did not “meet someone special.” And that it didn’t provide a simple enough system for cancelling subscriptions.
The Federal Trade Commission is suing Match Group for allegedly using notifications about phony profiles to trick consumers into paying for a subscription to dating site Match.com
2016
London Underground appearance-language controversy
A UK outdoor campaign used the word imperfections alongside imagery associated with red hair, freckles, and eye color. Public criticism and complaints argued that the message demeaned natural appearance; Match.com apologized and said the posters would be removed.