Lawsuit Alleges Hinge, Tinder Ignored Denver Women’s Serial Rapist Complaints
A lawsuit filed in Denver claims that dating apps Hinge and Tinder failed to act on multiple complaints about a serial rapist. The case centers on Dr. Stephen Matthews, a cardiologist who allegedly drugged and raped women he met through these platforms between 2019 and 2023. Despite several alerts to the companies, the lawsuit asserts they did not adequately respond to safeguard their users.
Key Allegations Against Dating Apps
The complaint claims that dating app owners, IAC, Inc. and Match Group Inc., received reports about Matthews as early as September 2020. However, rather than banning him, the companies allowed him to remain active on their platforms, facilitating further assaults.
Background on Dr. Stephen Matthews
- Crimes: Matthews was convicted of over 30 charges linked to the drugging and sexual assault of 11 women.
- Date of conviction: August 2024.
- Prison sentence: 158 years.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit was initiated on behalf of six women, all but one residing in the Denver metro area. One plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe No. 5, described an incident on October 30, 2022, where she accepted an invitation to Matthews’s home under the guise of leaving his dog there.
- During her visit, Matthews allegedly provided her with a drink laced with drugs.
- She remembers playing a game and later waking up disoriented and in a compromised state.
Patterns of Behavior
The complaint outlines a disturbing pattern of Matthews using his dog to lure women into his home. He reportedly offered drinks mixed with unknown substances and often assaulted women after they became incapacitated.
Dating Apps’ Failure to Protect Users
According to the lawsuit, despite multiple complaints against Matthews, the apps allowed him to create new profiles easily. When his profiles were flagged, he would simply change his contact details to re-access the platforms.
- Users reported ineffective systems for addressing abuse on Hinge, leading to suggestions that they do not adequately protect users.
- Research indicates that over 50% of adults under 30 have utilized dating apps, with a significant number of users being potentially violent offenders.
Leaders from Match Group cited their commitment to safety, emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve security tools for users. However, critics argue that their measures are insufficient, especially on apps like Hinge, which lack the advanced safety features implemented in other services.
Calls for Accountability
The plaintiffs are seeking damages based on negligence, failure to warn app users, and violations of the state’s Consumer Protection Act. This case is emblematic of broader issues concerning safety in the online dating environment.
As the lawsuit progress through the courts, it raises important questions about the responsibility of dating apps to protect their users from predatory behavior.
