# The Week in Dating Business: September 30 to October 7, 2026

_Grindr buys its way into healthcare, an Australian court formalizes eHarmony's subscription breaches, Feeld grows 32%, and Tinder goes group._

Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/week-in-dating-business-2026-10-08
Author: Bill Alena
Published: 2026-10-07T22:00:00+00:00
Last updated: 2026-10-06T13:59:03.906469+00:00
Category: The Data

## Summary

Grindr agrees to buy Freddie for $250 million, eHarmony's Australian ruling is formalized, Feeld's revenue jumps 32%, and Google's Play Store fees go on trial.

## Key takeaways

- Grindr agreed to buy Freddie parent PurposeMed for $250 million plus up to $70 million in earn-outs.
- Australia's Federal Court formally declared eHarmony's subscription practices unlawful; penalties are next.
- Feeld's 2025 revenue rose 32% to £64 million.
- Tinder launched Group Hangouts for friend groups.
- A £1 billion UK class action over Google Play commissions is at trial.
- Clockout raised $3.5 million for in-person professional networking.

The biggest move of the week came from Grindr, which agreed to pay $250 million for Freddie, a profitable PrEP telehealth service, betting that its audience is worth more as patients than as subscribers. Two other stories went to how dating apps charge: Australia's Federal Court formally declared eHarmony's free-dating, auto-renewal and pricing practices unlawful ahead of a penalty hearing, and Google went on trial in London over the Play Store commissions that Android subscriptions pay. Feeld's UK accounts showed an independent app growing 32% while the big public brands shrink. And Tinder and the networking app Clockout both bet that people would rather meet in groups and in person.

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