A Statement from the CEO of Swept Dating
Recent lawsuits filed by survivors of sexual assault against Match Group, the parent company of Tinder and Hinge, allege that known offenders were allowed to remain active and even promoted on major dating platforms after being reported. These allegations are deeply troubling. They demand serious reflection from everyone building, operating, or regulating online dating services.
First, and most importantly, I want to acknowledge the survivors who came forward. Speaking up after trauma takes courage. Regardless of how the courts ultimately rule, their voices deserve to be heard, respected, and taken seriously.
At Swept Dating, we believe moments like this expose a hard truth the industry has avoided for too long: growth without accountability puts people at risk.
The Problem Is Not Scale, It’s Priorities
Online dating did not become unsafe overnight. The cabal of services that failed users were designed over many years, often optimized for engagement, retention, and revenue, not for relationship and safety outcomes.
When reports of abuse are treated as support tickets instead of safety signals, platforms lose sight of their responsibility. When repeat offenders are allowed to re-enter systems with minimal friction, trust erodes. When moderation decisions are opaque, survivors are left feeling dismissed or blamed.
I don’t believe these are technical limitations… they’re product and leadership choices.
Safety Must Be Designed In, Not Bolted On
From the beginning, Swept Dating was built on a different premise: intentional dating requires accountability.
That belief shapes our approach to safety in very real ways:
- Verified identity as a foundation, not a premium add-on.
- Behavioral pattern monitoring to identify harmful conduct over time, not just isolated messages.
- Clear escalation paths when reports indicate risk, including human review and permanent removal when warranted.
- Transparency and Consistency in standards, so users know what is expected and what happens when boundaries are crossed.
Safety cannot rely solely on users reporting harm after it occurs. Platforms must take responsibility for preventing known risks from repeating.
Accountability Cannot Be Optional
The lawsuits now in the public eye highlight why voluntary standards are no longer enough. Regulation is coming, and in many regions it is already here. But laws alone will not fix culture.
That is why Swept Dating joined the Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA). We believe independent standards, external accountability, and shared responsibility across the industry are necessary to rebuild trust.
Not a boast, because membership is not about a badge. It is a commitment to scrutiny.
What Users Should Expect From Us
If you use Swept Dating, you should expect:
- To be taken seriously when you raise a concern.
- To know that repeated harmful behavior has consequences.
- That law enforcement will be notified of unlawful behavior.
- To feel that your safety matters more than a business’s engagement metrics.
If we ever fail to meet that standard, we expect to be challenged on it.
A Message to the Industry
Online dating connects millions of people seeking companionship, love, and stability. With that reach comes immense responsibility. Silence, deflection, or minimal compliance are no longer acceptable responses when harm is reported.
This moment should not be about legal defense strategies or public relations language. It should be about changing how safety decisions are made, measured, and enforced.
Survivors deserve better. Users deserve better. The industry can do better.
At Swept Dating, we are committed to proving that accountability and connection are not competing goals, they are inseparable.
Rob Kennedy
Founder & CEO, Swept Dating
