Match Group and Security Nonprofit Garbo End Partnership

Match Group and its partner Garbo, a nonprofit provider of background checks, have parted ways, according to a story that broke in The Wall Street Journal.

Garbo announced in a blog post that it will be shutting down its consumer-facing business as a result of the split. While details were not shared about exactly what happened, Garbo blamed Match Group for both the difference in priorities and the execution of the service on its platform.

Garbo’s service was integrated into Match Group’s Tinder platform and allowed users run background checks on potential dates using just a name and phone number. Garbo would give them a report stating if the person had any public reports issued against them for past violence, arrests, convictions and restraining orders.

Garbo founder Kathryn Kosmides wrote in the blog post: “Over the last few years, we have faced a lack of support and real initiative from online platforms, continuous harassment and threats by bad actors on these platforms, and the prolific issues across the justice systems including access to proper local, state and federal government records is deteriorating by the day.”

There were differences in how Match Group and Garbo wanted the partnership to operate. According to The Verge, Match Group had asked to display a badge on members’ Tinder profiles to show they had no criminal history. Garbo argued that giving someone a “good guy” identity badge is counterproductive to keeping people safe.

Garbo also pointed out that Tinder didn’t advertise the background checks after the service launched, and that it was never made available as an in-app service for iPhone users.

Kosmids also states in the blog post: “It’s become clear that most online platforms aren’t legitimately committed to trust and safety for their users…There are some great companies that do take our mission to heart, but the sad reality is that most social networks, dating apps and online platforms care more about the bottom-line than they care about you.”

Match Group responded that they will be seeking a new partner so that they can continue to offer these types of background checks to users. “While we are disappointed that we were unable to come to an agreement, we are in advanced conversations with alternate providers and will announce a new partnership soon,” Match group spokesperson Kayla Whaling told The Verge.

Kosmides didn’t hold back in the blog post: “The ripple effects of these issues have impacted victims and survivors, the organizations serving them, and Garbo.”