A group of six women has launched a landmark civil lawsuit against the corporation that owns popular dating platforms Tinder and Hinge, asserting that the company’s inaction allowed a convicted serial rapist to remain active on its services for years. The complaint, filed in Denver district court, alleges serious lapses in safety practices that may have contributed to ongoing sexual assaults after users reported the man’s predatory behavior.
Lawsuit Alleges Failure to Act on Reports of Predatory Behavior
The plaintiffs, identified in court only by pseudonyms to protect their privacy, say they encountered the same man—former Denver cardiologist Stephen Matthews—through the dating platforms. According to their complaint, profiles associated with Matthews remained visible and were even recommended by the apps long after reports of drugging and sexual assault were submitted to the company.
Matthews was convicted in 2024 on dozens of charges for drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women he met online, ultimately receiving a sentence of 158 years in prison. Despite repeated alerts from users, the lawsuit claims the apps did not properly block his access or alert other users at risk.
Claims Focus on Platform Safety and Industry Accountability
Legal representatives for the survivors argue the case highlights broader issues with how major dating apps manage threats to user safety, asserting that alleged negligence by the platform’s owner allowed a known threat to continue meeting and harming others. The lawsuit calls for accountability and improvements in how online dating services respond to serious safety concerns.
The company has previously stated that it invests in safety technology and tools to protect users, but legal filings and independent investigations suggest gaps remain in enforcing bans and preventing banned users from returning under new accounts.
Legal and Safety Implications
Experts say the outcome of this lawsuit could have ripple effects across the online dating industry, potentially influencing how platforms track and respond to dangerous users. This case specifically points to issues in profile moderation, reporting systems, and risk mitigation tools used by large dating companies.
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages and changes to policies to better safeguard future users.
