Match Group, the parent company of popular dating app Tinder, is losing its background-checking tool provided by Garbo. Garbo, a non-profit organization founded by Kathryn Kosmides, has been partnered with Match Group since 2019 to offer safety features for Tinder users. However, Garbo has announced that it will shut down its consumer tool by the end of August. Kosmides expressed her preference for Garbo to focus on their other endeavors rather than compromising their vision for the sake of corporate marketing goals.
Match Group has invested significantly in enhancing safety across its platforms. The company has introduced features like ‘Are you Sure?’ and ‘Does this bother you?’ along with background checks to provide users with more information and control. Despite the termination of its partnership with Garbo, Match Group is actively seeking a new provider to check for histories of violence. Alternative providers are currently under advanced discussions, and a new partnership will be announced soon.
The decision to suspend the background-checking tool originated from disagreements between Garbo and Match Group, as well as challenges in obtaining payment from platforms for Garbo’s services. Kosmides mentioned internal disputes within Match Group brands regarding the implementation of the tool. A proposed system to encourage users, particularly men, to run background checks on themselves and receive a profile badge was rejected by Garbo. Kosmides emphasized the importance of not categorizing individuals into ‘good’ or ‘bad’ based on identity verification.
Dating app safety gained public and regulatory attention after a story by ProPublica revealed instances of sex offenders using dating apps. Match Group faced increased scrutiny, leading to inquiries from U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Ann Kuster. However, Match Group no longer discloses the size of its trust and safety team. In response to the pressure, Match Group saw Garbo as a potential solution and announced a partnership worth $1.5 million in 2021. The consumer tool was launched the following year, allowing two free background searches for Tinder users.
However, due to funding disagreements, Match Group and Garbo were unable to reach an agreement, leading to the termination of the tool. Garbo will transition back to being volunteer-run from September 1st. The organization plans to focus on developing innovative tools to empower individuals in protecting themselves from gender-based violence and other interpersonal harms. Additionally, Garbo will advocate for reforms in the criminal justice and public record systems to support victims and hold wrongdoers accountable.
Despite the absence of the Garbo tool, Match Group remains committed to the safety of its users and will continue investing in industry-leading features across its dating apps. This recent development highlights the challenges faced by dating app companies in providing comprehensive safety measures while addressing user concerns.
