Digest: Grindr’s $3B buyout + 75% of apps flunk security tests

Grindr’s $3B buyout talks as stock wobbles 20% Majority shareholders Raymond Zage and James Lu raised $1B in preliminary debt financing from Fortress Investment Group to acquire Grindr at approximately $15 per share. The LGBTQ dating app saw shares surge 11% on buyout news despite earlier 20%+ decline. Q2 profits jumped 25% to $17M even as Temasek Holdings seized some pledged shares after stock slide. Deal could close before year-end if shareholding hits 90% threshold—because nothing says “we believe in this company” like taking it private. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanburgos/2025/10/14/grindrs-billionaire-shareholder-explores-taking-dating-app-private-in-3-billion-deal/

AI predicts dating app rebound—Match Group to lead comeback WarrenAI analysis identifies Match Group as top dating platform investment with 41% upside potential ($45 fair value vs $32 current), citing 77.7% projected EPS growth for dating app builders. Hello Group ranks second with 37.6% upside despite projected revenue decline. Sector stabilization follows multi-year download slump as dating site software demand finally recovers. Turns out reports of dating apps’ death were greatly exaggerated. https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/dating-app-stocks-set-for-rebound-in-2025-according-to-warrenai-match-group-leads-the-pack-93CH-5041831

Rich men abandon apps for $100K matchmakers—because money can’t buy love, but it can buy better algorithms Premium matchmaking services including Three Day Rule report record sales despite economic headwinds. Three Day Rule’s VIP memberships ($25K-$100K) now account for 50% of business, up from 5% year prior. CEO Adam Cohen-Aslatei reports 40% sales growth with October as highest revenue month ever. Elite matchmaking proves how to create a dating platform for affluent segments who’d rather pay six figures than swipe right 10,000 times. https://www.businessinsider.com/high-net-worth-men-ditch-apps-expensive-matchmaking-heres-why-2025-8

Tinder’s India mandate: prove you’re human before you swipe Match Group’s Tinder requires all new Indian users to complete AI-powered video selfie verification matching profile photos before accessing the white label dating platform. Liveness detection and cross-account face matching combat bots and catfishing, issuing Photo Verified badges to approved accounts. Rollout addresses India’s dating app market where 1-in-3 users prioritize profile verification. Because apparently “no catfish” needed to become an official feature, not just common sense. https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/tinder-face-check-selfie-verification-india-ai-fake-profiles-safety-125100801167_1.html

75% of dating apps flunk basic security—your love life may be less private than you think Security audit reveals three-quarters of popular dating platforms have critical vulnerabilities including weak encryption, insecure data storage, and inadequate authentication. Findings raise concerns about sensitive user data including location, messages, and photos across dating site software. Platforms face increasing regulatory scrutiny as online dating software becomes essential infrastructure. Turns out most dating apps guard your data about as well as they guard against ghosting. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/75-of-dating-apps-fail-cybersecurity-tests/

UK threatens dating app blackout over cyber-flashing epidemic Ofcom warns dating platforms risk service suspension if they fail to address cyber-flashing—unsolicited explicit images sent via apps. Regulator’s Online Safety Act grants enforcement powers including fines and blocks. Dating app builder platforms must implement image detection AI and robust reporting mechanisms by compliance deadline. The UK government has officially decided: unwanted anatomy pics are not a valid dating strategy. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/from-the-web/dating-apps-could-be-blocked-if-they-fail-to-tackle-uk-cyber-flashing/

Hily’s Consent Guard asks “you sure you want to send that?” (via GDI) Dating platform Hily introduces AI-powered Consent Guard feature detecting and blocking unsolicited explicit messages before delivery. System asks senders to confirm consent before transmitting potentially inappropriate content. Feature addresses growing concern about digital harassment in dating software while maintaining user privacy. Think of it as the dating app equivalent of “are you sure you want to send this email?” but for content you definitely shouldn’t send. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/hily-launches-consent-guard-to-mitigate-unsolicited-explicit-messages/

Grindr CEO blames paywalls, not Gen Z, for dating app decline CEO George Arison challenges narratives blaming Gen Z for dating decline, pointing to aggressive app monetization instead. Free versions of competing dating software have become “basically unusable” for male users without payment, driving young users to free Instagram/LinkedIn connections. Grindr maintains robust free product, seeing no Gen Z retention issues. Dating app development lesson: charging people $50/month to say hello is not a sustainable business model. https://fortune.com/2025/10/08/gen-z-cant-afford-to-date-grindr-ceo-george-ariso-says-real-issue-is-how-apps-have-monetized-romance-debunks-dating-trends-throning-sprinkles/

Faith-based Knot Dating profits in 6 months—proof that niche targeting works (via GDI) Christian dating app achieved profitability milestone just six months post-launch through premium subscription uptake and low customer acquisition costs. Faith-focused positioning attracts users seeking serious relationships aligned with religious values. Success demonstrates viability for niche dating site builder projects targeting underserved verticals. Turns out people will actually pay for dating apps when the matches share their values, not just their zip code. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/knot-dating-reaches-profitability-six-months-after-launch/

Amata raises $6M to eliminate swiping—and small talk Dating startup Amata launched in NYC with $6M pre-seed funding, offering AI matchmaker that asks preference questions then directly books dates for $16 per introduction. No swiping, no chat until 2 hours before scheduled meeting. Repeat cancelers face 7-day match pause. Founder Ludovic Huraux (previously built Attractive World) targets intentional daters tired of dating app builder platforms focused on endless engagement. The pitch: pay $16 to skip the part where you pretend to care about their favorite pizza topping. https://www.businessinsider.com/new-ai-matchmaking-dating-app-amata-launches-us-new-york-2025-9

Bharat Matrimony bets $500K that AI plus astrology beats your mom’s matchmaking (via GDI) India’s leading matrimony platform integrates artificial intelligence with traditional Vedic astrology for compatibility matching. Investment targets market where 90% of marriages are arranged and astrological compatibility remains culturally significant for dating software customization. Platform combines AI recommendation algorithms with astrological chart analysis. Because why choose between modern technology and ancient wisdom when you can have both deciding your love life? https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/bharat-matrimony-invests-500k-to-bring-ai-astrology-to-matchmaking/

Synch combines AI robots with human judgment—because neither works great alone (via GDI) New dating platform combines AI-powered conversation coaching with human matchmaker curation to address user burnout. Service limits daily matches while providing behavioral feedback and communication guidance. Hybrid model balances algorithmic efficiency with personalized human judgment missing from swipe-only dating app development approaches. The dating equivalent of “trust but verify,” applied to both humans and machines. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/synch-beats-dating-fatigue-with-ai-coaching-and-human-matches/

AI love coach promises to fix your dating life—no judgment included (via GDI) Dating expert Shay Levister debuts AI-driven relationship coaching platform combining machine learning with human expertise. Service provides personalized dating advice, profile optimization, and communication strategies for users navigating modern dating. Represents growing trend of AI coaching tools supplementing traditional dating platform software. Finally, relationship advice that doesn’t come from your friend who’s been single for three years. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/from-the-web/shay-levister-launches-worlds-first-ai-powered-love-coach/

Sonder swaps swipes for Pinterest boards—because your aesthetic matters (via GDI) Dating app Sonder debuts visual matching system where users create mood boards representing personality, interests, and aesthetic preferences. Approach prioritizes compatibility signals beyond photos—users match based on shared visual inspiration including travel, art, and lifestyle imagery. Platform targets London singles seeking depth over swipes. Turns out you can judge compatibility by someone’s favorite fonts and color palettes. Who knew? https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/london-dating-app-sonder-debuts-moodboard-matching/

BLK launches Greek Life Mode for homecoming season—complete with step shows Black singles app BLK introduces feature celebrating historically black college culture and Greek letter organizations during peak homecoming season. Mode enables users to display Greek affiliations, connect with chapter members, and discover matches at homecoming events. Timing capitalizes on heightened social activity around HBCU traditions in niche dating software. Because if you didn’t go Greek, can you even understand the culture? https://jacksonvillefreepress.com/blk-dating-app-launches-greek-life-mode-to-celebrate-the-spirit-of-homecoming-season/

Catholic dating app adds Mass attendance verification—because actions speak louder than profiles (via GDI) Catholic dating app SacredSpark launches with features aligned to Church teachings including Mass attendance verification, theology discussion prompts, and sacramental status display. Platform addresses frustration among Catholic singles with secular dating app builder platforms’ value misalignment. Includes integration with parish calendars and faith-based icebreakers. Finally, a dating app where “How often do you go to church?” comes with receipts. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/sacredspark-aims-to-reinvent-catholic-dating/

Gen Z picks Chalance for anti-swipe dating—because mindless swiping is so 2015 (via GDI) Anti-gamification dating app Chalance gains Gen Z traction by removing swipes, limiting daily matches, and emphasizing profile depth for meaningful connections. Platform reflects broader generational shift toward dating site software features prioritizing relationship quality over quantity. Growth demonstrates demand for thoughtful white label dating alternatives. Who would’ve thought treating dating like actual relationship-building would work? https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/gen-z-daters-turn-to-chalance-for-meaningful-matches/

Breeze adds sign language matching—because love shouldn’t require hearing Dating platform Breeze launches specialized feature matching users who communicate via sign language. App includes video profile capabilities, ASL/BSL language preferences, and deaf culture community integration. Addresses accessibility gap in mainstream dating software where deaf and hard-of-hearing users face communication barriers. Demonstrates importance of inclusive design in dating app development—and reminds everyone that accessibility features benefit entire communities. https://mashable.com/article/breeze-date-language-sign-language

‘Dogfishing’ epidemic hits dating apps—those aren’t actually their dogs (via GDI) Dating community reports growing frustration with “dogfishing”—misleading potential matches by featuring other people’s dogs in profile photos. Trend emerged as dog ownership became key dating preference signal. Users demand authenticity as platforms consider verification for pet photos in dating platform software. Next up: verification that the beach photo wasn’t from 2015 and 30 pounds ago. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/users-push-back-against-dogfishing-profiles-on-dating-apps/

Study: Dating apps break down India’s caste barriers—swiping past tradition (via GDI) Research reveals online dating platforms reduce traditional socioeconomic matching constraints in Indian matrimony market. Study finds dating software enables connections across caste and class boundaries more than traditional arranged marriage systems. Results suggest how to create a dating app can influence social mobility and relationship formation patterns. Technology doing what centuries of social reform struggled with: making love matter more than last names. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/study-digital-dating-narrows-indias-socioeconomic-barriers/

Daters want financial transparency—because love doesn’t pay the rent (via GDI) Survey data shows users increasingly want upfront financial information on dating profiles including income ranges, career stability, and financial goals. Trend reflects economic pressures affecting relationship formation as financial compatibility becomes early screening criterion. Some dating site builder platforms considering adding optional financial disclosure features. Romance may be priceless, but apparently rent is not. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/daters-want-more-financial-transparency-on-dating-apps/

Plot twist: Men go on more dates than women via apps (via GDI) Research challenges assumptions about gender differences in dating app usage and outcomes. Study finds men who actively use dating platforms software go on more first dates than women, though women report higher match rates. Data suggests behavioral patterns rather than algorithmic bias explain outcome disparities. Turns out the dating app experience isn’t as gender-lopsided as everyone assumed. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/from-the-web/study-men-go-on-more-dates-than-women/

Hinge finally explains why it deleted your profile—transparency arrives (via GDI) Match Group’s Hinge introduces clearer communication when profiles are removed for policy violations, explaining reasons and appeal processes. Feature addresses user complaints about sudden account deletions without explanation in dating software. Transparency update follows regulatory pressure for dating platform software to justify content moderation decisions. Revolutionary concept: telling people why they got banned instead of ghosting them. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/hinge-introduces-more-transparent-takedown-process-to-preserve-profiles/