The U.S Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that Match Group, the parent company behind Match.com, Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge, and Plenty of Fish, will pay $14 million to settle allegations that it misled users into buying subscriptions.
The six-year legal battle began in 2019 when the FTC accused Match Group of sending marketing emails to free-tier Match.com users about “new messages” from accounts it had already flagged as likely bots or scammers. This practice allegedly lured consumers into purchasing subscriptions under false pretenses.
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The FTC also claimed the company made it hard for customers to cancel subscriptions, locked them out of their accounts when they disputed charges, and withheld refunds while failing to deliver paid services.
Under the proposed order, Match Group must clearly explain its six-month guarantee, stop penalizing users who raise billing concerns, and provide easier cancellation options. The $14 million settlement will be distributed as redress to affected consumers.
This development comes as Match Group faces ongoing scrutiny over its trust and safety measures. Regulators hope the order will push the company toward more transparent and consumer-friendly practices.
