In a surprising turn of events, the background-checking tool used by Match Group to enhance safety on Tinder will be shutting down. Garbo, the non-profit organization that Match Group partnered with in 2019, will be discontinuing its consumer tool at the end of August. This decision comes after disagreements with Match Group and challenges in getting platforms to pay for Garbo’s services. Garbo’s founder and CEO, Kathryn Kosmides, expressed her desire to shift focus and maintain the integrity of the organization’s vision, rather than compromising it for the sake of corporate marketing goals.
Match Group, however, remains committed to prioritizing user safety and will be seeking a replacement partner to conduct background checks for histories of violence. The company has invested significantly in safety features and tools across its platforms, distinguishing itself from other dating apps. Match Group has implemented unique features like "Are you Sure?" and "Does this bother you?" and has made substantial investments in background checks. While disappointed with the termination of the partnership, Match Group is currently engaged in advanced conversations with alternate providers and plans to announce a new partnership soon.
The decision to discontinue the tool has raised questions about the internal workings of Match Group. It was reported that Tinder leaders were pushing for a system that would incentivize users, predominantly men, to run background checks on themselves and receive a badge on their profile. Garbo rejected this idea, emphasizing that it is not possible to whitewash someone’s identity or categorize them as either a "good guy" or a "bad guy." The differing opinions regarding the implementation of the tool within Match Group brands ultimately contributed to the breakdown of the partnership.
The need for improved safety measures in dating apps gained significant attention in 2019 when ProPublica published a widely circulated story about sex offenders using these platforms. Match Group faced increased scrutiny and regulatory interest, leading to inquiries from U.S. representatives regarding the protection of users from registered sex offenders. The pressure to address these concerns prompted Match Group to explore innovative solutions, leading to their partnership with Garbo.
Despite the termination of the tool, Garbo remains committed to its mission of empowering individuals to protect themselves from gender-based violence and other interpersonal harms in the digital age. The organization plans to refocus its efforts on developing new and innovative tools and advocating for reforms in the criminal justice and public record systems to hold bad actors accountable and protect victims.
In conclusion, the discontinuation of the background-checking tool used by Match Group on Tinder
Background-Checking Tool Used by Match Group to Offer Safety Feature for Tinder Users is Shutting Down
The background-checking tool used by Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, to provide a safety feature for its users is shutting down. The tool, developed by the non-profit organization Garbo, will cease its consumer tool at the end of August. Garbo’s founder and CEO, Kathryn Kosmides, stated that she would rather shift the focus of Garbo to its other efforts rather than compromise its vision by being relegated to a marketing tool for big corporations.
Match Group has invested significantly in enhancing safety across its platforms in recent years. From features like "Are you Sure?" and "Does this bother you?" to background checks, Match Group has taken steps that other dating apps do not offer. The company remains committed to investing in and building industry-leading features that provide users with more information and control over their connections.
Although disappointed with the severed partnership, Match Group is in advanced conversations with alternative providers to replace Garbo for checking histories of violence. They plan to announce a new partnership soon. However, Garbo’s decision to suspend the tool stemmed from disagreements with Match Group and difficulties in getting platforms to pay for its services. Internal disputes within Match Group brands about how to implement the tool also contributed to the decision.
Garbo rejected the idea proposed by Tinder leaders to have users run background checks on themselves to receive a badge on their profile. Garbo argued that it is not possible to whitewash someone or categorize them as "good" or "bad" based on identity verification. This disagreement highlighted the challenges faced in implementing effective safety measures within dating apps.
Dating app safety gained public and regulatory interest in 2019 after a widely circulated story by ProPublica revealed that sex offenders were using dating apps. This led to increased scrutiny from Capitol Hill, with U.S. Representatives questioning Match Group about protecting users from registered sex offenders. Match Group’s partnership with Garbo was seen as a novel solution to address these concerns.
However, with Match Group and Garbo failing to agree on funding terms, Garbo’s board voted to terminate the tool. Garbo will shift back to being volunteer-run starting from September 1st. The organization plans to focus on developing new and innovative tools to empower individuals and protect them from gender-based violence and other interpersonal harms in the digital age. Additionally, Garbo will continue to advocate for reforms in the criminal justice and public record systems to hold bad actors accountable and protect victims.
In conclusion, the background-checking tool used by Match Group to offer a safety feature for Tinder users is shutting down. Despite the severed partnership, Match Group remains committed to enhancing safety on its platforms and is seeking an alternative provider for background checks. Garbo, on the other hand, will refocus its efforts on empowering individuals and advocating for reforms in the criminal justice system. The termination of the tool highlights the challenges faced by dating apps in implementing effective safety measures.
