Match Group Settles With The FTC

Ever signed up for a dating site and felt like you got a raw deal? You're not alone. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government agency that protects consumers, recently took a major stand against some of the biggest names in online dating. ⚖️

The FTC has reached a settlement with Match Group, the parent company of popular dating sites like Match.com, OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, and The League. The company has agreed to pay $14 million and change its business practices to resolve charges that it tricked consumers.

What Were the Allegations? 🤔

The FTC's complaint, filed in 2019, alleged that Match Group engaged in three main unfair and deceptive practices:

Misleading Guarantees: Match.com advertised a "six-month guarantee" for users who didn't "meet someone special." However, the FTC claims the company failed to clearly disclose all the fine print. Consumers had to jump through a bunch of hoops and meet specific, often difficult, requirements to actually get the free subscription.

Unfair Account Suspensions: The FTC alleged that Match unfairly suspended the accounts of users who filed billing disputes with their banks. This meant consumers were denied access to the very services they had already paid for, while the company kept their money.

Tricky Cancellations: The FTC charged that Match made it a confusing and difficult process for users to cancel their subscriptions. This is a common tactic, often called a "dark pattern," where companies make it easy to sign up but hard to leave.

What's Changing? 🤩

The settlement is great news for consumers because it forces Match to make some significant changes. Under the new order, which has the force of law once a judge approves it, Match Group must:

Be Clear About Guarantees: Any and all guarantees must now have their terms, conditions, and restrictions clearly and conspicuously disclosed to consumers. No more hidden requirements!

Stop Retaliating: The company can no longer punish or take adverse action against consumers who file billing disputes. This protects you if you have a legitimate issue with a charge.

Simplify Cancellations: Match must now provide a simple and easy way for consumers to cancel their subscriptions. The days of hunting for a tiny "cancel" button or navigating a maze of pages should be over.

This settlement sends a strong message to all online subscription services: be honest about your offers, be fair with your customers, and make it easy for them to cancel when they want to.

What This Means for You 🫶

The $14 million payment will be used by the FTC to provide refunds to affected consumers. So, if you were a Match.com user and feel you were harmed by these practices, keep an eye out for information from the FTC on how to claim your part of the redress.

This case is a great reminder to always read the fine print, especially when it comes to online subscriptions. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The FTC is working to protect you, but a little vigilance on your part can go a long way.