Six women file lawsuit against Hinge and Tinder for being targeted by a serial rapist.
In a disturbing revelation, several women have come forward describing their experiences of assault by former cardiologist Dr. Stephen Matthews, who utilized dating applications to exploit victims. This situation, which has drawn significant attention, highlights the pressing issues of safety and accountability in the rapidly expanding realm of online dating.
In January 2023, a woman known as Alexa met Matthews through Hinge in Denver’s Highland neighborhood. Following a couple of drinks, she experienced a significant loss of memory and later discovered evidence that painted a concerning picture of her evening. As she collected information—from damaged clothing to home security footage—she began to comprehend the gravity of what had transpired.
Matthews, a convicted serial rapist, was found guilty in August 2024 on 35 felony counts, resulting in a sentence of 158 years in prison. Prosecutors revealed that Matthews had systematically targeted women via dating apps, taking advantage of the platforms’ vulnerabilities to lure victims.
In response to this alarming behavior, a coalition of law firms representing Matthews’ victims has initiated a lawsuit against Match Group, which owns prominent dating apps including Hinge and Tinder. This legal action, filed in Denver District Court, alleges that the company demonstrated a “deliberate disregard” for potential risks, effectively enabling predatory behavior. Attorneys assert that the structure of these platforms, including ineffective reporting systems and the ease with which banned users can return, fails to prioritize user safety.
The lawsuit claims that reports of Matthews’ misconduct had been submitted as early as September 2020, yet he continued to operate within the app using the same identifying features for nearly three years. A striking incident highlighted by the plaintiffs involved Hinge recommending Matthews’ profile to one of his previous victims months after she had reported him. According to the claims, statements from Hinge regarding permanent bans were misleading.
Attorneys involved in the case emphasize the widespread implications of this situation, noting that hundreds of incidents of assault associated with dating apps are reported weekly. Match Group’s internal database, as referenced in the lawsuit, documents every user-reported rape and assault across its platforms since 2019.
The legal representatives for the victims initially contemplated a class action suit; however, due to the personalized nature of each victim’s experience, they modified their approach to pursue individual cases that share common elements. There is a growing expectation that more lawsuits will arise as awareness of these issues continues to expand.
As the conversation surrounding the safety of dating apps intensifies, individuals like Alexa hope that their fight for accountability and justice sends a clear message about the necessity of prioritizing safety in dating environments. The mounting pressure on companies like Match Group signifies a call for transformative changes in app security systems to better protect users. The effective and responsible management of dating platforms must evolve if they are to maintain user trust and prevent future tragedies.
