# Match Group Alters NJ Disclosures After $650K Settlement: Founders Must Prioritize Transparency _Match Group pays $650K to NJ, changes disclosure practices. Founders must ensure transparency in criminal background checks to avoid legal issues._ Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/match-group-new-jersey-safety-fine Author: High Intent Newsroom Published: 2026-09-03T09:36:43+00:00 Last updated: 2026-09-03T10:25:56.950638+00:00 Category: Policy ## Summary Match Group paid $650,000 to New Jersey and must change how it discloses criminal background screening practices across its dating platforms. This settlement resolves allegations of violating consumer fraud and internet dating safety laws. Dating business operators should review their own transparency in safety disclosures to avoid similar legal issues and ensure compliance with consumer protection acts. ## Key takeaways - Match Group paid $650,000 to New Jersey over disclosure violations. - Companies must clearly explain criminal background screening limitations. - Disclosures must state which offenses block users from contacting others. - New Jersey users on Match Group apps will get disclosure updates within 150 days. - This settlement may influence how other states regulate dating platform disclosures. ## FAQ ### What prompted Match Group's $650,000 settlement with New Jersey? The settlement was prompted by allegations that Match Group violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and Internet Dating Safety Act. These violations stemmed from misrepresenting or inadequately disclosing its criminal background screening policies to users on platforms like Match, Tinder, and Hinge. ### What specific changes must Match Group make to its safety disclosures? Match Group must accurately describe screening practices, explain how screenings are conducted, whether information is updated and how often, and which criminal convictions prevent users from communicating with New Jersey members. Disclosures must also state screening limitations, such as not covering foreign convictions or being foolproof. ### How will New Jersey users of Match Group platforms be informed about these changes? New Jersey users must be notified within 150 days about changes to screening practices. This notification will be delivered via email or a pop-up notification on the dating platforms. This applies to all New Jersey users across services like Match, Tinder, Hinge, and others. ### What dating apps are affected by this settlement? The settlement affects Match Group's dating services including Match, Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, OurTime, BLK, Chispa, Upward, and BlackPeopleMeet. These platforms must implement the new disclosure requirements for their New Jersey users as part of the agreement. ### Could this New Jersey settlement impact dating platforms in other states? Yes, the New Jersey settlement may set a precedent for how dating platforms handle safety disclosures in other states. Regulatory scrutiny of safety practices is likely to increase as online dating grows, and other state authorities may use this as a model for enforcement. - Match Group will pay $650,000 to New Jersey and revise criminal background screening disclosures across its dating platforms - The settlement resolves allegations that Match violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and Internet Dating Safety Act - Match Group operates major dating services including Match, Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, OurTime, and others - New Jersey users must be notified within 150 days about changes to screening practices via email or pop-up notification Match Group, the parent company behind some of the world's most popular dating apps, has reached a significant settlement with New Jersey authorities over how it discloses criminal background screening practices to users. The agreement requires the company to pay $650,000 and implement comprehensive changes to its safety disclosures. The settlement addresses concerns that the company misrepresented or inadequately disclosed its screening policies to consumers. Dating app on smartphone screen Match Group will pay $650,000 and change how its dating platforms disclose criminal background screening practices to New Jersey users under a settlement with the state. The settlement, announced September 1 by the New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs, resolves allegations that Match Group misrepresented or failed to adequately disclose its criminal background screening policies. The state said the conduct violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, Internet Dating Safety Act and related regulations. Match Group operates a number of dating services, including Match, Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, OurTime, BLK, Chispa, Upward and BlackPeopleMeet. These platforms collectively serve millions of users across the United States and around the world. The settlement applies to all New Jersey users across these various services. ## New Disclosure Requirements for Dating Platforms Under the consent order, Match Group must accurately describe the screening practices of its affiliated services for New Jersey users. Platforms that conduct criminal background checks as defined by state law must also notify existing New Jersey members of changes to their disclosures within 150 days, using email or a pop-up notification. This represents a significant change in how dating apps communicate safety information to their user base. Person reviewing safety information on mobile device The disclosures must explain how screenings are conducted, whether the information is updated and how frequently, and whether users with criminal convictions, including convictions requiring sex offender registration, are permitted to communicate with New Jersey members. Platforms must also state which offenses, if any, would prevent someone from using the service to communicate with users in the state. This level of detail aims to provide users with a clear understanding of what protections are actually in place. > Users must be told that screenings are not foolproof, criminal databases may not always be current and individuals can potentially circumvent screening systems. ## Transparency About Screening Limitations The settlement also requires safety notices explaining the limitations of criminal background checks. These notices acknowledge the inherent constraints of background screening technology and databases. The disclosures must also explain that screenings are generally limited to publicly available conviction information and do not cover convictions in foreign countries. Safety and security concept on digital interface This requirement represents a shift toward more honest communication about the capabilities and limitations of safety measures. By acknowledging that background checks have gaps, Match Group will help users make more informed decisions about their personal safety. The settlement recognizes that transparency, even about limitations, is crucial for consumer protection in the digital dating landscape. > The disclosures must explain how screenings are conducted, whether the information is updated and how frequently, and whether users with criminal convictions are permitted to communicate with New Jersey members. The New Jersey settlement may set a precedent for how dating platforms handle safety disclosures in other states. As online dating continues to grow in popularity, regulatory scrutiny of safety practices is likely to increase. This agreement demonstrates that state authorities are willing to enforce consumer protection laws in the digital dating space and hold major companies accountable for how they communicate safety features to users. ### Key Takeaways - Dating app users should carefully review safety disclosures and understand that criminal background checks have inherent limitations, including gaps in database coverage and the possibility of users circumventing screening systems. - The settlement establishes a model for transparent communication about safety practices that may influence how dating platforms operate nationwide, requiring clear explanations of screening methods, update frequencies, and which criminal convictions may restrict platform access. - New Jersey users of Match Group platforms should expect to receive notifications about updated screening practices within 150 days, providing an opportunity to review and understand the actual safety measures protecting them while using dating services. ## Sources - [Wrnjradio](https://wrnjradio.com/match-group-to-pay-650000-change-dating-app-disclosures-in-new-jersey-settlement/), Wrnjradio Published by High Intent (High Intent Media Inc). 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