Six women accuse Match Group, parent company of Tinder and Hinge, of negligence in a civil lawsuit filed in Denver. They claim the dating apps allowed Stephen Matthews, a former Colorado cardiologist convicted of multiple sexual assaults, to stay active despite repeated warnings. Matthews was reported to Hinge in 2020 but remained on the apps until 2023. He was sentenced in October 2024 to 158 years to life for drugging and raping at least 11 women from 2019 to 2023. The lawsuit says Match Group ignored or mishandled abuse reports, creating a “breeding ground for sexual predators.” It alleges the apps had flawed safety systems, like a “defective” reporting feature that disappears if users unmatch victims before reporting. The complaint also notes banned users could return without changing names or photos. One victim told CBS News, “Hinge was liable for giving him a platform,” stressing the company could have prevented further harm. The suit leans on findings from the Dating App Reporting Project, which said Match Group did not fully address repeat-offender risks. Match Group claims to take misconduct seriously, investing in AI, ID checks, and law enforcement cooperation. Executives admit stronger safety may cut user numbers but is vital for trust. The women seek damages and hope the case forces better handling of sexual violence on dating apps. One survivor said, “Using a dating app should not mean accepting preventable danger.”