Online Dating Association welcome Match Group into membership
The ODA is delighted to welcome Match Group and its portfolio of brands as ODA members. Match.com, a Match Group brand, was a founding member of the ODA in 2014. The Group’s move to full membership signals an international expansion for the ODA, which has up until now largely focused on building user trust and confidence within the UK market.
The ODA exists to promote high user safety standards within the dating sector. By building a community of providers with a shared commitment to a safe dating experience, it aims to ensure that daters in all markets feel confident and secure in using dating apps and services.
Through its popular brands such as Tinder, Match.com, Plenty of Fish, OKCupid and Hinge; Match Group has been a world leader in introducing tools to protect and empower users.
Morgan Cauvin, Match Group’s Head of Government Relations EMEA and the recently appointed Chair of the ODA, said:
“It is an honour to succeed Duncan Cunningham as ODA Chair. He and others showed great vision in setting up this Association and the sector is in his debt.
For tens of millions around the globe, dating apps are now the leading way for new relationships to begin. They are truly part of our social fabric. Especially during these times when individuals are staying safe by social distancing, dating apps are proving more important than ever. That is why Match Group and the ODA are publicly calling on all apps and services to join our efforts to raise standards and promote world-class user safety.”
Outgoing ODA Chair Duncan Cunningham said:
“Since the creation of the ODA in 2014, I am very proud of all the Association has achieved in that time. Our original aim was to represent the UK online dating industry and to set benchmark standards for both the safety of users and the ethical operation of the sector. Now that our sights are rightly moving towards a more international role, after nearly 7 years as Chairman it feels that that the time is right for me to step down and for a new Chair to be appointed who can bring his international experience to the task. I welcome Morgan unreservedly as the Association’s new Chairman and look forward to supporting him and the rest of the Board as we seek to represent the wider App and online dating sectors internationally.”
George Kidd, Chief Executive of the ODA, said:
“Apps and services work to give daters services they value and trust. The support ODA has from such a diverse membership sends out the message that this is a sector that takes its responsibilities seriously.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About the ODA
The ODA was founded in 2014 when a group of leading dating services decided to create a body that would allow the sector to work together on standards and speak as one voice with regulators, law enforcement agencies and others.
ODA members and services operate across Europe, the US, the Far East and elsewhere.
The full list of ODA members can be found on our site.
Contact: info@onlinedatingassociation.org.uk
About Match Group
Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH), through its portfolio companies, is a leading provider of dating products available globally. Our portfolio of brands includes Tinder®, Match®, Meetic®, OkCupid®, Hinge®, Pairs™, PlentyOfFish®, and OurTime®, as well as a number of other brands, each designed to increase our users’ likelihood of finding a meaningful connection. Through our portfolio companies and their trusted brands, we provide tailored products to meet the varying preferences of our users. Our products are available in over 40 languages to our users all over the world.
