Are dating apps exacerbating addiction? Lawsuit filed against Tinder, Hinge, and Match alleges so.
Numerous individuals have encountered the sting of rejection, the frustration of being ghosted, or the uncertainty of being benched within the realm of online dating apps. However, few have considered pursuing legal action for their romantic woes.
On Valentine’s Day, a group of six dating app users took a bold step, initiating a proposed class-action lawsuit against Tinder, Hinge, and other Match dating platforms. Their claim? These apps allegedly employ addictive, game-like features to foster compulsive usage.
According to the lawsuit filed in federal court in California, Match's suite of apps utilizes well-known tactics to manipulate dopamine levels, effectively turning users into "gamblers" endlessly seeking psychological rewards. This, they argue, fosters addiction, driving users towards costly subscriptions and perpetual engagement.
While Match has dismissed the lawsuit as "ridiculous," experts in online dating recognize a broader pattern of discontent with the gamification of human interaction for profit, leading many to feel manipulated.
Mia Levitin, author of The Future of Seduction, likens big tech's role in this phenomenon to that of the tobacco industry, highlighting the addictive nature of smartphone usage. She notes that dating apps may have been designed from the outset to exploit addictive tendencies, drawing inspiration from experiments that conditioned animals to seek rewards.
The swipe-based interface pioneered by Tinder further reinforces the game-like nature of dating apps. Natasha Dow Schüll, an expert in addiction, draws parallels between these apps and slot machines, emphasizing their addictive qualities.
However, the impact of dating apps on long-term romantic connections remains uncertain. While some studies suggest a correlation between online dating and less satisfying marriages, causation is challenging to establish definitively.
Natasha McKeever, a lecturer at Leeds University, observes that dating apps often foster negative behaviors like ghosting and breadcrumbing. The ease of access to potential partners may contribute to a sense of disposability in relationships.
Lee MacKinnon, a researcher at the London College of Communication, emphasizes the way dating apps manipulate user behavior for corporate gain. She highlights how these platforms perpetuate societal biases and idealized standards of attractiveness, often at the expense of marginalized groups.
Despite their drawbacks, dating apps offer unprecedented access to potential partners, fundamentally changing the landscape of modern romance. However, this accessibility comes with its own set of challenges, including concerns about mental health and the commodification of personal relationships.
While the plaintiffs in the lawsuit may face an uphill battle in court, their grievances shed light on broader issues within the dating app industry. Whether through greater transparency in algorithms or measures to combat negative behaviors, there's a growing recognition of the need for reform in how these platforms operate.
Ultimately, while Match Group insists their mission is to facilitate real-world connections, the lawsuit underscores a deeper societal debate about the ethics and impact of dating apps on modern relationships.