Suit Tossed Over Inactive, Fake Profiles on Dating Site

DALLAS — In a ruling of particular interest to online dating sites, a federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that Match.com had not breached user agreements with class-action plaintiffs who complained that the site was rife with inactive and fake profiles.

With all contracts, and as articulated in this ruling, it becomes the case of the devil being in the details.

The certified class action alleged that as many as 60 percent of user accounts were either fake or inactive. The plaintiffs also charged that Match.com failed to take steps to vet new profiles and remove and block scammers from the site.

"The reason Match.com does not take any serious measures to rid its site of inactive, fake, or fraudulent profiles and, in fact, takes steps to ensure such profiles remain on the site, is because Match.com expressly and publicly relies on the artificially inflated number of profiles to demonstrate that it is a growth company, gain prospective subscriber and their payment for joining the site, and retain paying subscribers," the suit said.

But on Friday, U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay said that Match.com had not breached its user agreements, finding the agreements do not require it to remove dormant or inaccurate profiles.

The agreements' fine print "in no way requires Match.com to police, vet, update the website content" or verify the accuracy of profiles on the site, the judge wrote.

"Language such as 'you are solely responsible,' cannot be read to mean that Match.com accepted responsibility for the authenticity of members’ information posted on its website. Moreover, Match.com disclaims any such liability relating to the truthfulness of members’ information several times throughout the agreement."

Lindsay also said that the agreement contains extensive disclaimer language through which Match.com disavows any responsibility for incorrect or inaccurate content on its website.

The federal judge dismissed claims of breach of contract, and asked them to explain why he should not also toss out claims of deceptive trade practices brought under Texas law. Lindsay gave them until Aug. 27 to respond to that charge.

Other dating sites also have faced similar claims. Yahoo in 2007 agreed to pay $4 million to settle a suit accusing it of allowing fake profiles from people not interested in using the site for dating.

View ruling

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More