WASHINGTON, D.C. — Match Group, Inc., and its subsidiary Match Group, LLC, have agreed to a $14 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to resolve allegations of deceptive and unfair practices tied to several of the company’s online dating platforms, including Match.com, OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, and The League.
The FTC’s 2019 complaint accused Match of luring consumers with a misleading “six-month guarantee,” which promised an additional six months of service if users failed to “meet someone special.” Regulators said the company failed to adequately disclose restrictive conditions that made the offer difficult to claim. The complaint also alleged that Match unfairly suspended accounts of subscribers who disputed charges and created obstacles that made it challenging for customers to cancel subscriptions.
Under the proposed settlement, Match must clearly disclose all terms and conditions of its guarantees, stop misrepresenting offers, and refrain from penalizing consumers who file billing disputes. The company is also required to simplify its cancellation process, ensuring customers can end subscriptions without unnecessary barriers.
The $14 million payment will be used to provide redress to affected consumers. The FTC filed the proposed order in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, where it awaits approval. Once signed, the stipulated order will carry the force of law.
The Commission voted 3-0 in favor of the settlement.
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