In a landmark legal action, six women who allege they were drugged and sexually assaulted by a former Colorado cardiologist have filed a civil lawsuit against Match Group, the parent company of popular dating apps Tinder and Hinge. The lawsuit, filed in Denver district court, accuses the tech giant of negligence and of creating an environment that "accommodates rapists" by allowing a known offender to use its platforms for years despite multiple reports.
Core Allegations: A "Breeding Ground for Predators"
The complaint centers on the case of Stephen Matthews, a Denver-based cardiologist. The plaintiffs argue that Match Group failed to take decisive action after receiving numerous reports that Matthews was drugging and assaulting women he met on Hinge. Shockingly, the lawsuit claims that even after the company assured users Matthews was "permanently banned," his profile either stayed active or resurfaced, enabling him to continue matching with potential victims.
The legal filing paints a damning picture, alleging the company fostered a "breeding ground for sexual predators." It states that known abusers were permitted to circulate freely on its apps without sufficient warnings to other users. A critical flaw highlighted is Hinge's reporting system, described as "defective." The suit points out that a user can simply "unmatch" with a victim before a formal report is submitted, causing the reporting option to vanish entirely.
A Timeline of Failure and Tragic Consequences
The lawsuit provides a detailed chronology of alleged inaction. According to the documents, Matthews was first reported to Hinge in 2020. Yet, he remained active on dating apps until 2023. This period of access, the women argue, allowed him to continue his crimes. In October 2024, Matthews was convicted on 35 counts related to drugging and sexually assaulting at least 11 women between 2019 and 2023. He received a sentence of 158 years to life in prison.
One plaintiff shared her harrowing experience with CBS News, stating she met Matthews on Hinge in 2023. She believes she was drugged soon after arriving at his home. She later discovered that other women had reported him to the app years before her encounter. "Hinge was liable for giving him a platform," she said, emphasizing the company had the resources to prevent further harm but failed to act.
Broader Context and Demand for Change
The lawsuit leverages findings from an 18-month investigation by the Dating App Reporting Project. This probe concluded that Match Group had long been aware of serious safety flaws on its platforms but did not publish promised transparency reports or adequately address the risks posed by repeat offenders.
In response to such criticisms, Match Group has stated it takes misconduct reports seriously. The company says it is investing in safety enhancements like AI-powered moderation, identity verification tools, and cooperation with law enforcement. Executives have acknowledged that implementing stricter safety measures might reduce user numbers but assert these steps are crucial for building long-term trust.
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages. However, they stress that the lawsuit's primary goal is to force meaningful changes in how dating apps handle reports of sexual violence. "Using a dating app should not mean accepting preventable danger," declared one survivor, encapsulating the suit's core demand for accountability and systemic reform.
