Match.com FTC settlement overview:
- Who: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with Match Group Inc. and Match Group LLC.
- Why: The FTC says Match Group misled consumers about subscription guarantees, account suspensions and subscription cancellations.
- Where: The Match Group FTC settlement was filed in Texas federal court.
- How to Make a Claim: Details on how to file a claim were not immediately available. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive claim-filing instructions, and check out what settlements are paying out this month.
Match Group, the parent company of Match.com, OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, The League and other dating sites, has agreed to pay $14 million to resolve Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it misled consumers about subscription guarantees, unfairly suspended accounts and made it difficult to cancel subscriptions.
The Match Group FTC settlement requires the company to stop misrepresenting guarantees, locking consumers out of paid-for accounts and to simplify Match.com’s cancellation processes.
The FTC filed a complaint against Match Group in September 2019, alleging the company deceptively induced consumers to subscribe to Match.com by promising them a free six-month subscription if they did not “meet someone special.”
However, the Match.com FTC lawsuit says the company did not adequately disclose that consumers had to meet several onerous requirements before the company would honor its guarantee.
The FTC also accused Match of unfairly suspending the accounts of users who unsuccessfully filed billing disputes, keeping their money without providing the paid-for services. Further, Match made it difficult for users to cancel their subscriptions, the agency says.
Match Group to pay $14M to subscribers among other redresses
The Match Group FTC settlement requires the company to pay $14 million, which the FTC will use to provide redress to injured consumers.
The proposed order also requires Match to clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms of its “six-month guarantee” and any other material restrictions, limitations or conditions relating to guarantees.
Match must not misrepresent any material restrictions, limitations or conditions relating to guarantees, the Match.com settlement says.
The company is prohibited from retaliating, threatening to take adverse action or taking any adverse action against consumers for filing billing disputes and denying consumers who file billing disputes access to paid-for goods or services.
Match must also provide simple mechanisms for consumers to cancel their subscriptions.
The Commission vote approving the stipulated final order was 3-0. The FTC filed the proposed order in a Texas federal court.
Match.com has faced various lawsuits over the years including allegations over cancellation policies and sending messages via fake profiles.
What do you think about the FTC Match.com settlement? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
11 thoughts onMatch.com agrees to $14M settlement with FTC over deceptive subscription practices
Match.com I knew it was full of fake profiles please add me