"Anelaboratelonelinesstraphasbeenwovenbythosewhosuggestthatmodernmenandwomenshouldbetotallyselfsufficientandindependent.Interpersonalfreedomisthemelodytheyplay...thesepiperstrappeoplebecausetheymakethemfeelguiltyforevenadmittingtheyarelonely;theyinsinuatethatitisasignofweaknesstopubliclyadmitthatapersonreallyneedssomeoneelse...thisisnomythorfairytale-allavailableevidencesuggeststhatpeopledoindeeddieofbrokenhearts."-Dr.JamesJ.Lynch"TheBrokenHeart-TheMedicalConsequencesofLoneliness"1977
"...afailureofpersonstohonestlyrepresentwhotheyare...afacadeiscreated,designedtopleasewhatyouthinkthatotherpersonneedsorwants.Youloseeitherwayifyoudothis!Ifthepersonrespondstothefacade,you'vegotnothingtherebutapersonwholikesthefalseimageyou'vecreated.Thatpersondoesn'tlikeyou,sowhathaveyougainedIfthepersondoesnotrespondtothefacadeanddepartsfromyourlife...you'realwaysgoingtowonderifhe(orshe)wouldhavelikedyou,hadyoubeengenuine."-NormanMickey"CompatibilityandFindingthat'Perfect'Mate"1stNationalSinglesConvention1979
VideoIntroductionssinglesorganizationisfoundedin1977inConcord,CaliforniabySocialWorkerNormanMickeytoprovidesingleswithvideodatingandsinglescounselingandeducation.ThefirstnationalsinglesconventionisheldinSanFranciscoin1979.NormanMickeyisinvitedtomakeapresentationattheconvention-"CompatibilityandFindingthatPerfectMate"
(FormerLocation)
ThefirstconsumerguidetodatingservicesispublishedbyVideoIntroductionsin1982,alertingsinglestodeceptive,unfairandhighpressuresalestacticsandluresofsomewellknowndatingservicesintheindustry.
"It'simportanttotakesomerisks-todisclosesomethingaboutourselveswhenwewanttomeetsomebody...IneverydaysituationsIthinksomepeoplearegoingtolookalittlebitfunnyatyouifyoustarttellingthemallyourpersonalinformation.Butisn'titsad,thatasmuchaswesaywewantopennessandhonestyinoursociety,thatwelookuponsomeonewhoisgenuinelyopenandhonestwithusinafirstmeeting,asodd..."-NormanMickey
LafayetteOrindaPresbyterianSingles
1982
VideoIntroductionsofConcordhasputoutaconsumerguide"ThingstoLookfor(inaSinglesDatingService)beforeyousignup.
-KGORadioNews
January1983
DoesamanlikealadyifshecomplimentshispersonalityordooppositesattracteachotherWe'regoingtofindoutintheVideoIntroductionscompanyinNorthernCalifornia.-AllenFunt,CandidCamera"TheDifferenceBetweenMenandWomen"NBCTVNovember1983
GreatExpectationsdatingserviceoffersamulti-milliondollarsettlementinaninvasion-of-privacyclassactionlawsuitforsecretlyrecordingintimatedetailsofprospectiveclientsconversationsinsalesdiscussionsfrom1985-1989withouttheirpermission.ThefirstpartnercompatibilitytestforsinglesisdevisedbyNormanMickeyandPh.D.Psychologist/LicensedMarriageCounselor,Dr.MichaelMayer.Itispublishedin1992providingthebasisofanewapproachofidentifying,assessingandmeasuringcompatibility.VideoIntroductionsacquires5otherdatingservices.
NormanMickeyB.A.
"There'salotofdeception,misleadingclaimsintheindustry...There'sclearly(inappropriate)salespressureinmostofthedatingorganizationsthatI'mawareof,andthepersonisinanemotionalstateandissusceptibletothatpressure.Andbecausesomesinglesfeelreluctanttocomplainbecausethey'vebeentaken(advantageof)aboutadmittingthatthey'resingleandperhapslonely,theydon'toftencomplaintotherightagencies.There'salotofrip-offsintheindustryanditneedstobecorrected.We'retryingtodosomethingaboutthatatVideoIntroductions..."-NormanMickeyRonnOwensProgram,KGORadioJune1985
"Thelackofbeinglovedorhavingsomeonetoloveisprobablythemostemotionallydamagingthingthatonesuffers,andIthinkitismostintensifiedinolderpeople."-NormanMickeySanJoseMercuryNewsFebruary1990
MichaelMayerPh.D.
"Datingservicesaren'tregulatedinmoststates.Ifyou'rethinkingaboutjoiningoneaskthefollowingquestionsanddon'tsurrenderyourmoneyuntilyougetanswers"RulesforVideoLove"-condensedfrom'ThingstoLookForinaSinglesDatingService'byNormanMickey,Director,VideoIntroductions"-BetsyVonWagner,Men'sFitnessMagazineJuly1990
Togetherdatingserviceoffersasettlementin1995inalawsuitresultingfrommorethan100complaintsreceivedbytheContraCostaCountyDistrictAttorney'sofficeformisleadingcustomersandrefusingrefunds.AssociationofEthicalMatchmakerscommenceslitigationin1996againstTogetherforfraudandotherunfairbusinesspractices,andisaplaintiffinastateofWashingtonlitigationthattheTogetherchainanditsknowingparticipantsconstitutedaracketeeringenterprise.VideoIntroductionsexpandsinternationallywithmembersinthePhilippinesandinRussiancountries.VideoIntroductionswebsiteisdeveloped.Exclusivepartnercompatibilityassessmentsoftwareisdeveloped.NormanMickeysubmitsanoriginal,innovativeconceptandproposaltoPresidentClinton'staskforceonwelfarereform,tohelpsinglewelfarerecipientsgetoffofpublicassistancethroughdatingandmaritalassistanceservices.AmericanAssociationforSinglePeopleisfoundedin1999byattorneyTomColemantogivesinglepeoplethesamerightsasmarriedpersons.
"KingofHearts""SocialWorkerNormanMickeyhasseentheuglyeffectspoormarriagescanhaveonparentsandchildren,sohe'stryingtostopthemarriagesbeforetheyhappen.'Iwantedtodosomethingmoresociallyredeeming...Iturnedtosocialworkbecausethat'swhereIfeltIwasdoingthemostworkforpeople...Manypeoplemarryforallthewrongreasons...Weshedsomelightonthatandhelpthemmakebetterdecisionsthenexttimearound'...HiscontributiontomaritalblissisVideoIntroductions,acomprehensivedatingservicethathelpssinglesavoidthefrogsandgetstraighttotheprinces."
-DaveThom
DailyLedger/PostDispatch
October1992
"ForgetnucleardisarmamentandYakovSmirnoff.Theendofthecoldwarbroughtaboutsomethingmuchmoremomentous,accordingtotheRussianConnectionbrochure...theavailabilityofnumerousdesirableRussianwomenwithanamazingattractiontoAmericanmen.TheConcordbaseddatingservice,partofVideoIntroductions,providemen(andwomen)withopportunitiestomeet(Russianwomenandmen)."
-AndrewGordonConcordTranscript
February1997
"NormanMickey,ownerofVideoIntroductionsinConcord,startedhisserviceafteryearswiththeContraCostaCountywelfareoffice.Hisexperiencetheregavehimthemoralmotivationforfoundingthebusiness.'Isawtheresultsofallthebadmarriagesandhardshiponchildrenthatcameaboutbecausetheydidn'thavealotofguidanceinmakingtheirdecisionabouttherightpersonfortheminitially'hesaid-healsooffersaconditionalmembershipforthoseoflessermeans.Paymentismadeonlyuponmarriage."-DavidScholzArgusNewspapersFebruary1999
-Willwefaceuptothedevastatingeffectsofunmetrelationshipneeds
"DomesticviolenceistheNo.1healthriskforwomenbetweentheagesof15and44Clintonsaid.AlmostonethirdofthewomenkilledintheUnitedStatesarevictimsofhusbands,ex-husbandsorboyfriends."-PresidentBillClinton
2000
Almostaveryrealcasualtyofanemotionallydemeaningmarriageendingindivorce,averywonderful,caringandgivingyoungmanattemptssuicide,notknowingwhereelsetoturn.HesubsequentlyjoinsVideoIntroductionsanddevelopshopeandadifferentrelationshipapproachthroughuseofVideoIntroductionsprogram,includingactiveparticipationinthefreesinglessupportgroupledbyNormanMickey.Asaresult,hisselfesteemanddatingandrelationshipskillsareenhanced.HerealizestherewardsofhisventureonValentine'sdaywithanewoutlookonlifeandalevelheaded,attractivebridemetthroughVideoIntroductions.
-AMarriageThatAlmostWasn't
February14,2000
"Iwasscaredtodeathoffailingatmale-femalerelationships"-EdmundKemperNorthernCaliforniaFemalesSerialKillerAninterviewshownonCourtTv
TheBushadministrationseeksCongressionalfundingformaritalassistanceservicesforsinglewelfarerecipients.AcandidateforCaliforniaGovernorrunsonasinglesplatformin2003andaVideoIntroductionsmemberisalsoacandidate.Full-length,goodqualityvideointerviewsareavailableonVideoIntroductionswebsite.TogetherdatingemergesfrombankruptcyasTheRightOne/TogetherDatingandisbacktothesameoldhighpressuresalestactics,falsepromises,consumercomplaints,highpricedmembershipsandisrewardedwithmillionsofdollarsinfastpacedannualrevenuegrowth.
"Mickeysayshiscompany'sgreatestassetisthatitallowscustomersto'lookbeforeyoubuy'.Potentialcustomerscanlookthroughthecompany'sphotoalbumsaswellasafewvideosbeforetheydecidewhetherornottojoin...Mickeythrowsina'realitycheck'aspartofhisservice:'Wemakepeoplerealizethatnoteveryoneisa9ora10andnoteveryonecanhavea9or10'.Formerlyasocialworker...heemphasizespersonalgrowth...'Wehaveawholeindustryaboutmarriagecounseling...Icoinedtheterm'singlescounseling'."-AlinaLarsonTheMontclarion
October2000
"NormMickey,aformersocialworker,isscrupulouslyhonestinfacilitatingintroductionsandoperateshisbusinesswiththehighestofintegrity.Ifyouareseriousaboutfindingapartner,considerVideoIntroductions."
-OpenExchange
Jan./Feb.2001
"NormanMickeyofVideoIntroductionsinConcordsayspeoplefeelashamedtoaskfordatinghelp,eventhoughfindingamatemaybethemostimportantthingwedoinlife.'Americaisallaboutindependence'hesays.'Wethinkweshouldbeself-sufficientineveryway.Ifweadmitanydeficiencyinaccomplishinganything,itmakesusfeellessself-esteem,lessvaluedbyourpeers.'...let'sfaceit,somepeoplewilldoalmostanythingtoavoidrejection,evenifitmeansspendingtheirlivesalone."-JamesO'BrianDiabloMagazineFebruary2002
"Arelationshipbalanceislookingatwhoyouarevs.whatyouwantinapartner.Somanypeoplefailtorealizethatwhattheyhavetoofferisnotwhatthey'reaskingforinreturnandthisiscalledadiscrepancy(relationshipdisparity),andthat'soneofthemeasurementsofthepartnercompatibilitytest...wetrytobringascientificmeasurementintothewholeprocess...relationshipsaresooftenemotional-onesideofthebraindictatessomuchofourdecision-andwefailtoconsiderarationalcounterbalance."-NormanMickey
"TheEdge-KnewRadio"
September2002
AclassactionlawsuitisfiledagainstTrue.comalleging(amongotherdeceptivepractices)thatalthoughTrue.comadvertisesthatsubscriberscansignupfreeandcontactmembersfree,thereisactuallyafeeinvolvedtocommunicatewithmembers.ItalsoallegesthatTrue.comchargesandcollectsmoneyfromformersubscribersaftertheycanceltheserviceincludingfalseandmisleadingmessagessenttoitsformersubscribersaftertheyhavecancelledtheiraccounts,conveyingthemessagethatotherTrue.comsubscribers(allegedtobefraudulentand/ornonexistent)areinterestedincontactingtheformersubscriber.Iftheformersubscriberopensthee-mailmessage,he/sheisautomaticallyreactivatedasasubscriberandchargedafeewithouttheirknowledgeorconsent.FurtherallegationsincludeTrue.com'srefusaltoacceptcancellationrequests.-SomeoftheallegationsinWongvsTrueBeginningsdbaTrue.com
June2007
"Severelydepressed(oneofthepreviouslyundisclosedreasonsforrejectionbyeHarmony).Apersonalized,individualassessmentshouldbemadebyalicensedprofessionaltomakethisdiagnosiscorrectly.ShameoneHarmonyfortheircursory,flawedassessments!Mostpeopleexperiencedepressionatsomepointintheirlives.Manywonderfulpersonswhoenrichotherpersons'liveshaveboutsofdepression...ifeHarmonyistrulyinthebusinessofhelpingsingles(whoalreadyhaveahigherincidenceofsuicidethanmarrieds)shouldn'ttheyfindabetterwaytocommunicatewithvulnerable,sensitivepeoplewhoaresimplytryingtoreachout...ArethereothercriteriaforrejectionthateHarmonyisn'ttellingusabout"
-NormanMickey"InternetDating&HiddenAgendas"-OpenExchangeMagazine
July-September2007
"AttorneyGeneralTerryGoddard(ofArizona)...accusedGreatExpectations,ofcoercivesalespracticesanddeceptivepractices.TheAttorneyGeneral'sofficeallegedthatGreatExpectations:-Misrepresentedtoconsumerstheoverallnumberofparticipatingmembersandmembersincertainagegroups.-Toldconsumersthattwotothreemarriagesoccurredamongmemberseverymonthwhenithadnocrediblebasisforsuchstatements.-Misrepresentedtoconsumersthatithadconductedacriminalbackgroundcheckonallofitsmembers.-Usedhigh-pressuresalestactics.-Showedpotentialnewmemberswrittenprofilesandphotographsofpeopletheywerenotavailablefordating."
In2008VideoIntroductionsgavememberstheabilitytomorphtheirphotowithothermemberstoseewhatafuturechildmightlooklikewithanothermember(BabyCreations),andalsotoseetheirownageadvancedphoto(AgeProgression),plusaccompanyinginformationandadvicetoenablememberstoconsider,discussandbetterunderstandimportantrelationshipissuesrelatedtoattraction,havingchildrenandaging..AdisplayofthisprocesswasshownonthewebsitewhichalsoservedtodrawattentiontothemoreimportantpurposeofBabyCreationsandAgeProgression-ameansweusetodramaticallyillustrateandcommunicatetheseriousissuestoconsidersurroundinghavingchildrenandaging.
*Facemorphingtechnologythatcanshowwhatyourfuturechildmightlooklike.*AgeProgressiontoshowwhatyoumightlooklikeinthefuture.
"VideoIntroductionsisknownforitsethicalbusinesspracticesanditshumane,personalized,innovativeservices...neverhavingaformalcomplaintaboutdatingpracticessinceVideoIntroductionswasfounded."
-Reuters
Aug.2008
TheSecondDecadeoftheNewMillennium
Alarmingandimportantdatingsiteinformation
-Greed,hype,trickery,fraudanddatingscamsabound
InDec.2010,alawsuitagainstMatch.comallegesthatbogusromanticcome-onsbyphonyorinactivemembersareusedtogetsubscriberstorenew.
InFeb.2011,aclassactionlawsuitisfiledclaimingthatMatch.comis“littlemorethanascheme”tobilkconsumersandalleging“Matchoverbillsandmakesunauthorizedchargestothedebitandcreditcardsofmembersandformermembers”andthatmorethan60%oftheprofilesare“eitherinactiveformerusers,orfakeorfraudulentlypostedbyscammersandothers.”
InFeb.2011Match’sparentcompanybuysandgainscontrolofcompetitorOkCupidfor$50millionincashplusmillionsmoreinfutureearn-outs(OkCupidhadpreviouslybeenacriticofMatch.com).SubsequentlyinOct.2012aco-founderofOkCupidisappointedtoanewlycreatedpositionofCEOofMatchInc.
InJune2011,anotherclassactionsuitisfiledagainstMatch.comlistingexploitativepracticestoenticepaymentfromsubscriberstotrytomeetnonsubscribersandbogusmembers(allegedtobemorethan90%ofadvertisedmembers)whoaredeceptivelymadetoappeartobeavailableandabletorespond.
InSept.2011anothersuitisfiledbyamarriedwomanwhowasneveramemberandshockedtolearnthatherphotowasbeingdepictedasamember,andalsobeingportrayedinanadonFacebookassomeoneprospectivemembersmightmeetonMatch.com.
InFeb.2012alawsuitisfiledagainstTrue.comandPlentyofFishbytheparentsofadeadsoldierforusingthephotooftheirhandsome,uniformedsoninadslike“MilitaryManSearchingforLove”.Clickingona“SoldiersWantYou”adplacedbyTrue.comonthePlentyofFishwebsite,directedinterestedpersonstotheTrue.comwebsite.Thephotousedintheadwastakenjustdaysbeforetheirson’smilitarydeathinIraqin2007andhewasengagedatthattime.Moreoverthephotoisthesamephotothattheparentsusedonthefamily’sUnsungHeroFundsiteafterhisdeath–asiteforthepurposeofprovidingsuppliestotroopsinwarzones.
InApril2012theVideoIntroductionswebsiteistemporarilydisconnectedfromtheinternettoguardagainstonlineintrusion.VideoIntroductionscontinuesofficeoperationswithoutawebsite.NormanMickeyfocusesattentiononexposingtheunethicalpracticesofthedatingindustryanditsdangersaspartofhisforthcomingbooktoidentifyandremedyrelationshipproblems–inwhichthedatingindustryisusedasanexampleofwhat’swronginAmericaandourrelationshipswitheachotherandtherestoftheworld.
InAug.2012True.comfilesbankruptcyowingnumerouscreditorsapproximately$100million.
InOct.2012,aclassactionlawsuitisfiledagainstChristianMingle.combyspamrecipientsinCalifornia.SomeoftheemailsforChristianMingle.comandalsofromBlackSingles.comlistawoman'snameasthesender(SparkNetworksownsbothofthesedatingsitesandothers).Othere-mailsusegenericnameslike"ChristianDating,""ChristianDatingPartner,"or"ChristianSingles"thatmisrepresenttheadvertiser.Manyofthespamemailsaresentusingdomainnamesthatmakeitdifficulttodeterminetheirorigin.Otherdomainnamesareregisteredtofakecompaniesorindividualswithbogusaddresses.ThisspamrepresentsviolationsofBusiness&ProfessionsCodeSection17529.5.Note:In2012TVads,ChristianMingleboasts2millionnewmembershavejoinedoverthepastyear.Theystate“joiningiseasyandfree”to“findGod’smatchforyou”.Likemostother“free”datingsitecome-ons,actuallymeetingsomeonemaynotbeeasyorfree,astheygetafootinthedoorandahandonyourpocketbookbyfailingtomentionthatthere’sanupgradedmembershipfeerelatedtomutualcommunicationattemptsbetweenmembers.
Italsomaynotbesafe,asreportedinFeb.2013,amemberusingafakenameisarrestedforrapeandburglaryofawomanaftermeetingviaChristianMingle.Itlateremergesthemanisalsosuspectedofa2009rapeofawomanhemetonMatch.comwithanotheralias.ChristianMingledidn’tofferbackgroundchecks(nordomostothersites).
InNov.2012,withaslowdowninnewmembers,retentionratesandamountoftimespentoneHarmony’ssite,alargenumberofeHarmony’sworkforcelosetheirjobsandtheBoardofDirectorsiscutfrom9to2members.In2013DatingCriticFernandoArdenghicallseHarmony“aHOAX”andstates“eHarmony’sTeamshouldbeinjailforfraud.”
In2012,AshleyMadisonwhichopenlyencouragesadulterywithsloganslike“Lifeisshort”,“Haveanaffair”andboaststhatitis“themostrecognizednameininfidelity”withclaimsoftensofmillionsofclientsworldwide-issuedalongwithalongwithitsCanadiancorporateparent,AvidDatingLifeInc.byaNorthCarolinamanforthelossofhiswifetoanothermanonthebasisofthealienationofaffection/criminalconversationlawsineffectinsomestates.
In2012,theFBIandtheInternetCrimeCompliancecenterissueswarningalertsaboutdatingscams.DatingextortionscamsandRansomwareareexposed.
InJan.2013Match.comissuedfor$10millionbyawomanwhobarelyescapeddeathin2010afterbeingstabbed10timesbyamanshemetonMatch.com.IncustodyheadmitskillingawomanwhohealsometonMatch.comin2011.
InFeb.2013ontheDr.PhilShow,twowomenarefeatured,romanticallydupedfor$187,400and$30,000respectivelybyNigeriansposingonMatch.comasEuropeanbusinessmen.
InNov.2013,theWisconsinAttorneyGeneralannouncesa$500,000settlementina2009lawsuitagainstGreatExpectationstoresolveallegationsthattheymisledconsumersintosigningupandpayingfordatingservicecontracts.Inadditiontofalseclaimsmadeandhighpressuresalestactics,GreatExpectationsusedwebsitenamesthatappearedtocontactsinglesinparticularMilwaukeecommunitieswhichdidn’tindicateanyconnectionwithGreatExpectations,butconsumerswhocompletedonlinesurveyswerethencalledbyGreatExpectationstelemarketers.
InNov.2013,aclassactionfederallawsuitisfiledagainstMatch.comfor$1.5billionallegingthatitisengagingin“onethebiggestconspiracieseverexecutedontheinternet”bycreatingbogusprofilesandallowingbogusprofilesonitssites.Thousands“ifnotmillions”ofprofilesareallegedtobebogus.
InDec.2013,anIllinoisjudgerejectsamotiontodismissa2011lawsuitagainstMatch.commadebyauserwhowasavictimofcriminalsexualabuseandunlawfulrestraintbyamember-anaccusedrapistwhowasn’tremovedfromtheirsite,eventhoughanotherMatchuserpreviouslyinformedthemthathehadrapedhertwoyearsearlier.
InFeb.2014awomanofPlayboyandX-ratedfame,joinsanamendedclassactionlawsuitagainstMatch.comaccusingthemandtheiraffiliatedwebsitesofpostingtensofthousandsoffakedatingprofilesthatrelyonunsanctionedphotostoattractpayingmembersandboostprofits.Sheclaimssheneverjoinedthedatingsites,andthathercopyrightedphotoshavebeenusedwithoutherconsentinthousandsoffraudulentprofilespostedonMatch.comandothersitesrunbyco-defendantparentcompanyIAC/InterActiveCorp.
InMarch2014,OkCupidissuedbyamanwhowasswindledoutof$70,000byamanhemetontheirsite.ThesuitclaimsthatthesiteanditsparentcompanyIACfailedtoprovide“evenminimalscreeningofitssubscribersandthereforedeceptivelycreatingtheimpressionthattheirdatingservicewassafe.”
InMarch2014,itwasreportedthattheparentcompanyofAshleyMadisonwascountersuingaformeremployeeinordertogetbackconfidentialdocumentsandworkproductandtrainingmaterials,includingcopiesofallegedfakeprofilesanddocumentsthatsheturnedovertoherlawyerinalawsuitagainstAshleyMadison,toshowthatshewasrequiredtocreate“fakefemaleprofiles”forAshleyMadisonto“enticepayingheterosexualmemberstojoinandspendmoneyonthewebsite”.Thisformeremployeestatedthatshewasaskedtotypeup1000fakeprofilesofsexywomenforAshleyMadisoninashortperiodoftimewhichbroughtaboutmedicalproblems.Shewasledtobelievethatthecreationoffakeprofileswasnormalpracticeintheindustryandthesuitstatesthattheprofiles"donotbelongto
anygenuinemembersofAshleyMadison
—oranyrealhumanbeingsatall."
SorryCharlie,I’mnotreallyapersonafterall.
Westoleyourmoneyandyourheartandwe’reproudofit.
-Justlookathowbig,famousandrichwe’vebecomeoffofpersonslikeyou.
AshleyMadison'srevenuegrewfrom$100millionin2012to$125millionandaprofitof$40millionin2013.InJapan-theirfastestgrowingmarket-theyclaimtakingjust8monthstoadd1millionmembers.OntheotherhandAshleyMadisonhadtocloseitsofficeinIrelanddespiteaclaimofaccumulatingmorethan125,000potentialadulterersonthesiteaftermorethan2years.AshleyMadisonsaidtheycouldn’tfindenoughIrishstafftooperateanofficethereduetomoralandreligiousbeliefsoftheIrish.AshleyMadisonwasalsoturneddownonmoralgroundsbythefirstlawfirmtheyapproachedaboutdoingbusinessthere(ThankgoodnessthattheIrishtookastandagainstworkingfororwithafirmthatenticespeopletobreaktheirmaritalvows.Perhapsotherswillfollowtheirleadandrefusetoworkfororwithfirmsthataskthemtodothingsthatviolatetheirmoralorethicalbeliefs).
InMarch2014,the60MinutesTVprogramsegment,TheDataBrokers,revealedthattheinformationyoushareaboutyourselfwithfirmslikeOkCupid,includingyouranswerstotheirmatchingquestionnaireissoldtonumerousothercompaniesoragencieswhomayuseitformanyotherpurposesrangingfrommarketingtocreatingdossiersonyou.Thisinformationcanthenbeusedforsuchthingsasidentifyingyouasaprospectivebuyerforproductsorservicesorusedbyaprospectiveemployertoevaluateyouforemployment.SenatorJayRockefeller,ChairmanoftheSenateCommerceCommitteeinvestigatingtheseissuesreferstosuchpracticesas“thedarksideofAmericanlife”
InMay2014It’sJustLunchwasorderedbyafederaljudgetofaceanationwideclassactionlawsuitthatclientsweredefraudedincludinguseofa“uniformscripttoinformprospectivecustomersduringinitialinterviewsthatIJLalreadyhadatleasttwomatchesinmindforthosecustomers'firstdatesregardlessofwhetherornotthatwastrue".Thecomplaintsaidthatthecompanywouldcharge$1,000ormoreperperson,peryearforservicesitdidnotdeliver.
InJuly2014TheGuardianreportedthatthedatingappTinderownedbyInteractiveCorporationisrifewithspambotsandfakeprofilesthatattempttoengagepeopleinconversationandthendirectthemtowebcamsites,mobilegamesandadultsites.ThereportstatestheoverwhelmingmajorityofTinderspamiscomprisedoffakeprostitutionprofiles.
Moreoftheindustry’sdarkunderbellywasrevealedwiththeseadmissions.Howeverusingtheexcusethatothersalsodoit-doesn’tmakeitright.Inadditiontoconductingsecretexperimentswithoutconsiderationtonegativeeffectsfortheirusers,itmightbesaidthatOkCupidmayhavetakenanotherstepintothedirtytricksindustrywhenitsoldouttothecompetitortheyhadpreviouslycriticizedfortheirtactics.OkCupidwaseffectivelysilencedfromvoicingcriticalremarksaboutMatch.comwhentheyagreedtosell-outtoMatch(IAC-Match’sparentcompany)in2011for$50millioncashplusmillionsmoreinfutureearn-outs,followedbyOkCupid’sotherco-founder(SamYagan)beingmadeCEOofMatchin2012.
Seenoevil,hearnoevilandspeaknoevilaboutus
Also,OnlineDatingMagazineraisedthequestionofliabilityforafirmwhichpurposelyfalsifiesinformationtotheirusers,especiallyifharmfulconsequencesshouldresulttoauserwhotrustsfalsematchinginformationdeliberatelyprovidedbyasite.
Justtrustus.Youare“exceptionallygoodforeachother”.
(However“wedon’treallyknowwhatwe’redoing”).
InAugust2014itwasreportedthatAshleyMadisonsuedthegovernmentofSouthKoreaforlossofrevenueanduncompetitiveconductafterSouthKorea(whereadulterywasillegal)blockedtheAshleyMadisonsiteonthebasisthatitcontributestoimmorality.Incredulously,AshleyMadisonclaimeditdoesnotaidorabetanyillegalactivityandthereisnoadulterythathappensonAshleyMadisonbecauseit’sjustapublication(despiteitsunmistakablepurposeandregisteredadvertisingslogan“Lifeisshort.Haveanaffair”).
InAugust2014eHarmony’sfounder/CEOissuedaninternalmemostatingthataturnaroundtookplaceafterJuly23,2012whenthecompanywasonedayawayfrombeingputupforsaletothehighestbidder.Using$153.2milliondollarsofa“hardwonstashofcapital”hesaideHarmonyboughtalloftheclassBshares,cutstaffand“cleanedupourhouse”byappointinganewexecutivemanagementteamtoavoidexposingthemanagementandownershipeveragain“topersonswhoknowalmostnothingaboutrelationships”.Hesaidthecompanyhadfocusedon“afive-yearturnaroundthatwillsurelyastoundtheworldofrelationalgurusandbusinessschoolleaders”.Hesaidthecompany“totallylostitsway”after2009.HesaidtheywouldrelocatetheirheadquarterstoacrèmedelacrèmeLosAngelesbusinessdistrictinaprestigiousmulti-storybuildingwiththeirnameatop,andsaidthateHarmony“isdeterminednottobestoppedanylongerinitspushtobethemostprolificrelationshipcompanyinthehistoryofthehumanrace”withthebeliefthatitcanbecome“oneofthemostimportantcompaniesinthehistoryoftheworld.”
InAugust2014theBetterBusinessBureau’snationaladvertisingdivisiontellseHarmonythatitshouldstopadvertisingthatithasbeenresponsibleformoremarriagesthananyotherdatingsiteandrecommendsthateHarmonystopboastingtheyhavethemostsatisfyingandenduringmarriages.In2016NeilWarren’snetworthisestimatedtobe$500million.InJuly2016hestepsdownfromdutiesasCEObutcontinuestoretaincontrolasChairmanoftheBoard.
InSeptember2014aclassactionlawsuitisfiledagainstIt'sJustLunch!as"amassiveschemetodefraudsingleprofessionals,"anditsservices"arenotonlygrosslydeficientandsubstandardinalmosteveryaspect”,butaresimplynotwhatthecompanypromised.ThelawsuitassertsthatIJLmakesrandommatchesand"almostcompletelyignoresthecustomer'sstatedpreferences.Rather,thecompanyforcesitsIJLfranchisestomakematcheswhicharedrivenentirelybymonthlyquotarequirements,whichwhollyandcategoricallydisregardthecustomer'sstatedinterestsandpreferences."Inadditiontomanyothermisrepresentations,thenumberofpersonsinthecustomer’svicinityandtheproportionofmentowomenaremisrepresentedaccordingtothesuit.
InOctober2014fourmenaresentencedtoprisonforusingafakeprofileonMatch.comtoswindle￡220,000fromfemalemembersbyuseofromanticmessages,emailsandtextsplusrequestsforfeestoreleaseafakeinheritance.
InOctober2014UKbasedonlinesiteJDIDatingwasfined$616,165bytheUSFederalTradeCommissionforusingfakeprofilesandalsousingfakecommunicationtomaketheirusersthinktheywerehearingfrompersonswhowereinterestedinthemsothattheycouldtrickthemintoupgradingtopaidmemberships.Subscriptionswerealsoautomaticallyrenewedwithoutusersconsent.ThesettlementrequiresJDItoabidebytheRestoreOnlineShoppers’ConfidenceActwhichrequiresthatmembersmustconsenttocreditcardchargesandunderstandwhattheywillbechargedforandunderstandthemethodsofcancellation.JDImustalsodisclosetousersthattheywillreceivecommunicationsfromvirtualprofiles.Thesettlementrequiresthattheyrefrainfrommisrepresentingtheirproduct,servicerefundandcancellationpoliciesandrequiresthemtomakecancellationseasy.Italsoprohibitsthemfromsellingthedatabasesofmembersfromtheir18differentlynameddatingsites.
InNovember2014aSanDiego,CAmanissentencedto37yearstolifeinprisonforrapingwomenhemetonChristianMingleandMatch.comin2009and2012.
InNovember2014itwasreportedthatSuccessfulMatch,theparentcompanyofPositiveSingles(adatingsiteforpersonswithSexuallyTransmittedDiseases)wasorderedtopay$16.5milliontotheplaintiffformisleadinghim(aswellasotherPositiveSinglesmembers)abouttheprivacyoftheirimagesandinformationwhentheyjoined.Eventhoughmemberswerepromisedfullconfidentiality,theirimagesandotherinformationweredisplayedonotherSuccessfulMatchsubsidiarysites.SuccessfulMatch’snetworkofsiteswasreportedtohaveatotal732,000users.Moreoverthewebsitestatedthatitwasa"warmheartedandexclusivecommunityforsinglesandfriendswithSTDs"that"caresaboutyourprivacymorethanothersites."
InDecember2014itwasreportedthattheformerMissNewYork,MeaghanJarensky(whoismarried)suedMatch.comoverafakeprofileofhershownontheMatch.comsite.ImpededbyMatch.com’sprivacypolicyshewasunabletodeterminewhoisimpersonatingheranddemandedthatMatch.comhandoverthename,mailingaddress,phonenumberandIPaddressoftheperpetrator.
InDecember2014,whileretainingChairmanship,GregBlattalsobecametheCEOofMatchGroup,replacingSamYaganasCEO,andYagan(OkCupid’sco-founder)wasmadeViceChairmanafteraNov.2015MatchGroupIPO.ReportsindicatethatGregBlattreceivedasalaryofamilliondollarsayearin2012,and2013and$500,000in2014andtotalremunerationwithstockawardsfor2012,2013and2014of$25million.ReportsindicateSamYaganreceivedasalaryof$500,000in2014withtotalremunerationfor2012,2013and2014of$12.77million.
InMarch2015aGeorgiamanwhohadhundredsofinteractionswithwomenontheOkCupidappwhileusinganaliaswaschargedwithrapingandsodomizingafemalemember.
InApril2015aclassactionsuitwasfiledagainstTinderforchargingmenandusersovertheageof30ahigherfeeforpremiumserviceonitsmobiledatingapp(ageandgenderdiscrimination)andcollectingrecurring,automaticrenewalfeeswithoutauthorizationinviolationofCalifornialaw(In2014MatchGroupchairman,GregBlatt,toldinvestorsthecompanywouldsoonfindawaytobenefitfromtheTinder’spopularity).InMay2015itwasreportedthatresearchbyGlobalWebIndexshowedthatthat30%ofTinderusersaremarriedand12%areinarelationship.
InMay2015inwasreportedthattheCyberspaceAdministrationofChinashutdown128datingsitesinthepast3monthswhichlackedlegalregistration,wereillegallyleakinguserinformation,allowedfraudandobscenecontent,orwereconnectedwithprostitution.Morethan20datingwebsiteswererequiredtomakechangesorbesuspended.
Note:UnlikeJapan,intheU.S.nodatingsiteexecutiveshaveeverbeenarrestedhereforthenumerousdeceptivedatingsitepracticesandthelargesumsofmoneytheyhavederivedfromtheseexploitativepractices(justlikebankingindustryexecutiveswhoscammedthepublicandlikewiseavoidedprosecutionafterthe2008recession).
InJuly2015theEastBayTimesranastory(updatedinAugust2016)entitledFraudsterstargetingseniorcitizenslookingforloveonline.ThearticlestatesthatseniorcitizensareespeciallyvulnerabletoInternetdatingscamartistsbecause,likeaseniorcitizen$300,000victimfromVirginia,theyareoftenwidowedandlonely.TheVirginiavictimalsometherscammeronthedatingwebsiteMatch.combutwarnedthatalldatingwebsitesarepotentialplaygroundsforpeopletryingtotrickothersoutoftheirmoney
InJuly2015AshleyMadisonwastoldtoshutdownitswebsiteduetoitspromotionofadulteryorelsehackerscallingthemselvestheImpactGroupwouldexposetheirusers.InAugusttheImpactTeamreleasedtheentireAshleyMadisonclientlist–morethan30millionmembersworldwide(84%malewithaffair-seekingfemalesararity).Manyoftheprofileswerefakeandinternalemailsrevealedthatthecompanywasactivelypayingpeopletocreatefakeprofiles.Therewerealsoashleymadison.comemailaddressessuggestingthey’dbeengeneratedbyabot.Thehackexposureofuserinformationledtoransomdemandsthreateningtonotifyusers’wivesoftheirAshleyMadisonactivitiesandlettersweresenttowivesofthosewhodidn’tpay.AvidLifeMedia,thecompanythatownsAshleyMadison,reportedrevenuesof$115milliononatotalcompanyvalueof$1billionin2014.
InNovember2015TexasAttorneyGeneralsuedLoneStarIntroductions,Inc.,alsodoingbusinessaseLoveMatchmakingbasedinMassachusetts,forviolationsoftheTexasDeceptiveTradePoliciesActandtheTexasInternetDatingSafetyAct.ThesuitallegedthatthecompanymadecoldcallsandusedhighpressuretacticstogetusersinAustinandSanAntonioTexastosignupfordatingservicesrangingfrom$8,000to$13,000thattheydidn’treceive.Customerstryingtocancelweresubjectedtoharassmentandthreatsinviolationofdebtcollectionregulations.ThesuitrequiresthecompanytoshutdownofficesinSanAntonioandAustin,pay$500,000incivilpenaltiesand$20,000incustomerrestitution,andprovidenotificationonitswebsitesthatitnolongerprovidesdatingservicesinTexas.
InDecember2015aclass-actionlawsuitwasfiledagainstTinder(partofMatchGroup)forviolatingCalifornia’sDatingServiceActforfailingtorecognizetherighttocancelTinderwithoutpenaltyorobligationwithina3dayperiodandnotpostingitinaconspicuousplaceontheTinderagreement,plusnotprovidinganaddresswhereacancellationcouldbesent.ItisalsoallegedthatTinderuserswhooptedoutaftera3daycancellationperiodwerenotreimbursedonapro-ratabasis.Researchoftheplaintiff’sattorneyindicatedTinderearnsasmuchas$9millionamonthfromsubscriptions.
InDecember2015OkCupid(partofMatchGroup)addedanewsettingwhichalloweduserswhoarelistedas“seeingsomeone,”“married,”or“inanopenrelationship”tolinktheirprofilesandsearchforotherpeopletojointheirrelationship.Companydatarevealedthat24percentofitsusersare“seriouslyinterested”ingroupsexand42percentwouldconsiderdatingsomeonealreadyinvolvedinanopenorpolyamorousrelationship.Thenumberofpeoplewhosaidthey’resolelycommittedtomonogamyfelltoonly44percentofOkCupid’susers.
InFebruary2016alawfirmannouncedanongoinginvestigationintowhetherMatchGroupviolatedsecuritieslawsbyissuingmisleadinginformationtoinvestorswithregardtoitsNov.2015IPO.Lawsuitswerefiledandtherewasasignificantdropinpriceofitsstock.AfterthestockreboundedupwardpastitsIPOpriceinthemonthsafterward,theChiefFinancialOfficerofMatchGroupandtheMatchGroupViceChairmanSamYagan,bothsoldalargenumberoftheirsharesasdisclosedinlegalfilingswiththeSecurities&ExchangeCommission.
InMarch2016amanwasfoundguiltyinEnglandofrapingseveralwomenthathemetonMatch.combetween2011and2014.HehadcontactedthousandsofwomenonMatch.comusingfakeprofilenames.EventhoughfourofthevictimscomplainedtoMatch.com,itwasrevealedatthetrialthatthesiteadministratorstoldoneofthecomplainantsthattheycouldn’ttakeactionbecausethismanhadnotsentabusivemessagesthroughthesite.Thejudgeurgedareviewofsafetymeasuresforonlinedatingsites.
InJune2016GermanofficesofLovoodatingapp(withclaimsof30millionusersin17countries)wereraidedandthefoundersandseveralemployeeswerearrestedforcommercialdeceptionusingfakeprofiles.Althoughuserswereluredinbyafreeoffer,thecompanychargedforextraswhichgaveLovooanextramillionEurosayearinprofit.
InAugust2016aEuropeanUnionlawmakercalledforaninvestigationintoTinder(ownedbyMatchGroup),becauseitusespersonaldataoftheuserwithoutexplicitconsent.Hestated"Onceyousubscribe,thecompanycandowhateveritwantswithyourdata.Itcanshowthem,distributethemtowhomeverorevenmodifythem.”Thisincludesreuseofusers’photosevenafterdeactivation.Itwasalsostatedthatthatcompaniesoftensellusers'datatothirdpartieswithoutconsumersbeingawareorhavingexplicitlyconsentedtoit.DatingappHappnwasalsoaccusedofviolatingEUdataprotectionrules.Heavysanctionsagainstcompaniesthatimpose"abusiveclauses"fortheuseoftheirappswerecalledfor.
InOctober2016Hingeannouncedanewmonthlyfeedatingappandtemporarilydidawaywithitsfreeswipingappinanattemptatamoresuccessfuldatingeffort.Thedissatisfactionofusingdatingswipeappswasreportedina2015VanityFairarticle,“TinderandtheDawnofthe“DatingApocalypse”.HingefranklyconfrontedthegloomystatisticsoffindingadecentrelationshiponswipeappsbasedontheiruserdataandstatedthatanAugust2016surveyoftheirswipeappusersshowed“only1in500swipesonHingeturnintophonenumbersexchanged”.TheyalsocitedthelowpercentageofHingeuserswhohadever“foundalong-termrelationshiponanyswipingapp”.Hingealsostated“Themostpopularswipingappboaststhatusersloginonaverage11timesperdayspendingupto90minutesperdayswiping,andhaveaccumulatedonaverageover200matches.However,forthevastmajorityofusersthishasledtoexactlyzerorelationships.”
InDecember2016AshleyMadisonreacheda$1,657,000settlementwiththeFTCasrestitutionforitspractices.
InMarch2017a58yearoldgrandmotherinTroyMichiganwasscammedontheMatch.comdatingsitebyanimaginarypersonwithafakeprofileonthesite.Shewasbilkedoutof$703,000dollars
InApril2017GrindrwassuedbyaNewYorkmanwhostatesthathisex-loverwhohemetonGrindrusedhisphototocreatefakeprofilesandimpersonatehimongayappstoenticeuninvitedmentocometohishomeandworkplace–overathousandmen,upto16strangersaday–whoweretoldnottobedissuadedifhe’sresistantbecausehewantstoexperiencearapefantasy.Hestatedthathemade50reportstoGrindrand14topolicetonoavail.
InApril2017,itwasreportedthatMatchGroupwassuedforenticingcustomerstopayapremiumaccessfeeinordertocontactOKCupid’s“A-List”userswhotheyclaimed“liked”them—onlytofindout“thatmostifnotalloftheuserswholikethemhaveinactiveaccountsor“dead”accounts.”UponuploadinganOkCupidprofile,anIllinoismanimmediatelyreceivedamessagethroughtheservice’ssmartphoneapp,whichstatedthatnumerousotherusers—upto25—likedhisprofileandofferingtorevealtheiridentitiestohimforafee.AlsoMatchGroupdidnotinformcustomersoftheirIllinoisdatingservicerightstocanceltheircontractwithinsevendaysforafullrefund.Moreover,thispremiumaccessissoldasanindefinitecontract—automaticallyrenewingunlessthecustomercancels—whichviolatestheinitialtwo-yearlimitonsuchcontracts.
InaJuly2017broadcast,SiliconValleyMatchmakerswasthesubjectofcomplaintsmadebymorethan10clientstoNBCBayAreaNewsResponds,KNTV11.Mariapaidnearly$8000andgot“fourbaddates”frommatchesthatwere“terriblefits”.HoweverthereportalsostatesthatpersonsshownasahappycoupleontheFacebookpageofthefirm’sownerwereinsteadstockphotosusedbytheirvariousaffiliates.Thefirmwhichdescribesitselfasa“personalandlocaldatingservice”isactuallybasedinOklahomawithbranchesinvariousstateswithvariousnames.Thereportnotesthat“AtestimonialfromBlake,thankingSiliconValleyMatchmakersforintroducinghimtohissoulmateKristie,alsoappearsonEastBayMatchmakers,andevenonawebsiteinNevada,whereBlakepraisesLasVegasMatchmakersforintroducinghimtohissoulmateKristie.Andaquicksearchofthosepicturesofhappycouplesrevealsthey’restockphotos.”
InAugust2017theNewYorkDailyNewsreportedthatKelleherInternationalwassuedbyformerQVCexecutiveDarleneDaggettwhopaid$150,000tointroducethe62-year-oldwomantowealthy,eligiblebachelorsbutinsteadwaslefttraumatizedbythematches.Thelawsuitstated“Kelleher’s‘highlyscreened’matchesforDaggettincludedmenwhoweremarried,mentallyunstable,physicallyill,pathologicalliars,serialLotharios,stalkers,convictedfelons,unwillingorunabletotraveland/orthesubjectofprofessionalsanctions,”
InJanuary2018,themovie“Swiped/HookingUp/DigitalAge”tookahardlookathowinstanthookup,onlinedatinghasbecomeaverytroublingspectacleofdamaginganddangerous,superficialsexualcontacts,withaplentitudeofnegativerepercussionsandconcerns.
InJuly2018,DanuealDraytonwasarrestedforrapingandkillingSamanthaStewart,anursefromQueens,NY,whohematchedwithonTinder.Moreover,amonthpriortotheallegedmurder,NewYorkdetectiveswerealreadylookingintoaBrooklynwoman'sreportthatherapedandchokedherafteraTinderdate.Healsoconfessedtokillingasmanyassixadditionalvictims.
InMarch2018,allegingitisaschemetodefraudsingleprofessionals,It’sJustLunchwassuedfor“malicious,fraudulentandoppressive”actsbyamanwhopaid$9,500fortheir“eliteservice”andexperienceddateswithwomenhewas“expertlymatched”withwhoknewverylittleabouthimandwereageinappropriate,andwithan“obviousdisregardforhisexpressedcriteria”
InMay2018,aclassactionlawsuitwasfiledagainstMatchGroupforviolationsofboththeIllinoisConsumerFraudandDeceptiveBusinessPracticesActandtheIllinoisDatingReferralServicesAct.TheplaintiffallegedthatwelloverhalfofthesiteprofilesarefakeorfraudulentandMatch.comeitherparticipatesintheircreationand/ormakesnoefforttovet,policeorremovethem.ItwasallegedthatMatch.comimproperlyprofitsbyrelyingontheinflatednumberofreportedmembersinitsmarketingcampaignstolurenewmembersandtheirassociatedsubscriptionfees.Theplaintiffcontendedheexperiencedduplicate,falseprofileswhowerenotinfactmembersofthesiteandhewasmisledintobelievingthatalluserswereactualpeoplewithwhomhecouldinteract.
InOctober2018,theCityofSantaMonica,CAreportedthatSparkNetworksUSA,LLC,theparentcompanyofnichedatingsitesJdateandChristianMingle,willpay$500,000inpenaltiesandupto$985,000inrestitutiontocustomerswhosesubscriptionsautomaticallyrenewedorwhoserefundsweredeniedwhentheyrequestedthem,andhasagreedtochangeitswebsiteandsalespracticestobetterprotectCaliforniaconsumersaspartofafinalcourtjudgment.Spark'sdatingsiteswereautomaticallyrenewingcustomerpayments,withouttheirexpresspriorconsentasrequiredbyfederalandstatelaw,amongotherallegedviolationsoflaw.
InOctober2018,eHarmonywaspurchasedbyaGermanfirmfor$85milliondollars.
InOctober2018,Chinesepolicearrested24peopleatLoverNetforscamminguserswithfemalebots.Ithad750,000payingusersand$140,000dollarsindailyrevenue.DatingappLoverNetalsospentheavilytoboostitsappstorerankings.TheCEOadmittedtherewasalmostnochancethatausercouldbematchedwithanotherrealuser,becausethefemalesonthesitewereonlybotswithfakeprofiles.ThisfollowedChinapoliceshuttingdown21companiesinJan.2018operatingsimilarschemeswithupto$144millioninvolvedandamillionusersdeceived.
Becauseauseragreestolegallanguagethatgetsthemintomanywebsites,theirdataispotentiallyupforsalethroughamarketfordatingprofiles.ThedatingdatapurchasedbyTacticalTechandJoanaMollincludedusernames,emailaddresses,gender,age,sexualorientation,interests,profession,aswellasdetailedphysicalandpersonalitytraitsand5millionphotos.Thereportstatedthatexchangingandpurchasingonlinedatingprofilesiscommonpracticewithintheonlinedatingindustry.Thereportstatedthatthemethodisnotonlyfrequentlyusedtopopulatenewonlinedatingsiteswhentheyfirstgetstarted“Butestablisheddatingsitesarealsocontinuouslytradinginprofiles–inordertogetnewfacesintotheirservicesandthusincreasethematchmakingprobabilitiesamongtheirusers(andgetnewpayingsubscribers).”Italsostatedthat“purchasingthisdataexposedavastnetworkofcompaniesthatarecapitalisingonthisinformationwithouttheconsciousconsentoftheusers,whomultimatelyaretheonesbeingexploited.Thisprojectattemptstomakepartsofthatnetwork,andhowitworks,visibletoeveryone.
TheFTCalsoallegesMatchdeceptivelyinducedconsumerstosubscribetoMatch.combypromisingthemafreesix-monthsubscriptioniftheydidnot“meetsomeonespecial,”withoutadequatelydisclosingthatconsumersmustmeetnumerousrequirementsbeforethecompanywouldhonortheguarantee.
Specifically,theFTCallegesMatchfailedtodiscloseadequatelythatconsumersmust:
TheFTCallegesconsumersoftenwereunawaretheywouldneedtocomplywithadditionaltermstoreceivethefreesixmonthsMatchpromised.Asaresult,consumerswereoftenbilledforasix-monthsubscriptiontoMatch.comattheendoftheinitialsixmonths,insteadofreceivingthefreesixmonthsofservicetheyexpected.
DuetoMatch’sallegedlydeceptiveadvertising,billing,andcancellationpractices,consumersoftendisputedchargesthroughtheirfinancialinstitutions.ThecomplaintallegesthatMatchthenbannedtheseusersfromaccessingtheservicestheypaidfor.
Finally,theFTCallegedthatMatchviolatedtheRestoreOnlineShoppers’ConfidenceAct(ROSCA)byfailingtoprovideasimplemethodforaconsumertostoprecurringchargesfrombeingplacedontheircreditcard,debitcard,bankaccount,orotherfinancialaccount.Eachstepoftheonlinecancellationprocess—fromthepasswordentrytotheretentionoffertothefinalsurveypages—confusedandfrustratedconsumersandultimatelypreventedmanyconsumersfromcancelingtheirMatch.comsubscriptions,theFTCcontends.ThecomplaintstatesthatMatch’sownemployeesdescribedthecancellationprocessas“hardtofind,tedious,andconfusing”andnotedthat“membersoftenthinkthey’vecancelledwhentheyhavenotandendupwithunwantedrenewals.”
Note:TheCommissionfilesacomplaintwhenithas“reasontobelieve”thatthelawhasbeenorisbeingviolatedanditappearstotheCommissionthataproceedingisinthepublicinterest.
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Doingbusinessbymeansoffalsepromises,bogusmemberinformation,misleadingclaims,outrightlies,sellingmemberdata,sneakyauto-renewals,difficultorimpossiblecancellations,fakeprofiles,exaggeratedmembershipandmarriagefigures,unrealisticexpectations,unethicalluresandtrickingusersinvariousotherwaysaremajorreasonsforthe“success”ofthedatingindustry.Aprimaryfocusonmarketing,salesanddeceptionratherthanhelpfulservices,caringstaff,andhonestandsaferesults,allowswellfundedsitestobecomeverylargeandseeminglylegitimateratherquickly(untilthetruthabouttheiroperationsmighteventuallybecomeknown).Liescreatedbyadatingsiteandphonyinformationpermittedby,orenteredabouttheirusersbythesiteitself,allowsunethicalsitestoprosperandunsuspectinguserstobevictimized.
Unfortunately,datingfirmswithhigherethicalstandardsthatrefusetousethesetacticsarelefttostruggleagainstlargeprofit-by-any-meanscompetitors,whoareabletosquelchorbuyoutthecompetition,anddowhatevertheywantasaresultofthemillionsofdollarstheyunethicallyanddeceptivelytakefromunsuspectingusers-whilereceivingtheaddedbenefitofattentionandpraisefortheirfinancialsuccess.
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