Story perspectives

FTC Settles With Match Group Over User Data Sharing

3/31/2026

Summary

FTC Settles Privacy Case

The Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement with Match Group and OkCupid over the 2014 unauthorized sharing of nearly three million user photos and personal information with Clarifai.
The settlement prohibits misrepresenting data practices and requires compliance certification.
Neither company admitted wrongdoing, and they said privacy practices have improved since the incident.
The settlement awaits court approval and could lead to civil fines for future violations.

Summary

FTC Sues OkCupid

The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against OkCupid and its affiliate Match Group Americas for sharing users' personal data with Clarifai, Inc. without consent.
The 2014 transfer involved nearly three million user photos and related data that were shared without notification or a data-sharing agreement.
Under the proposed settlement, OkCupid would be prohibited from misrepresenting its data practices.

History

Historical Context

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has long focused on online privacy, dating back to its 1996 workshops on consumer data issues. In 2014, the FTC's actions against companies like Facebook for unauthorized data sharing underscored growing concerns over user consent. The 2025 settlement involving Match Group and OkCupid, which included nearly three million user photos, reflects ongoing demands for transparency and stricter regulations in digital data practices.

1 of 3

FTC Settles Privacy Case

The Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement with Match Group and OkCupid over the 2014 unauthorized sharing of nearly three million user photos and personal information with Clarifai.
The settlement prohibits misrepresenting data practices and requires compliance certification.
Neither company admitted wrongdoing, and they said privacy practices have improved since the incident.
The settlement awaits court approval and could lead to civil fines for future violations.

1 / 3