Laws in the United States do not adequately protect against falsehoods and manipulation on dating applications, even though studies show that individuals using online dating apps, like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, often lie about their name, relationship status, and appearance.[8]<\/a> More than half the respondents in a study by B2B International and Kaspersky Lab, admitted to lying in their profiles.[9]<\/a> As a result, a law professor at Hofstra University, Irina Manta, focused extensively in this area and uses the term \u201csexual fraud\u201d to define this type of behavior.[10]<\/a> She makes three main arguments for addressing it.[11]<\/a> First, she argues that because of the ineffectiveness of criminal law in these circumstances, the courts should use a rendition of trademark law to \u201creduce search costs and deception in the dating marketplace, just as we do in the economic marketplace.\u201d[12]<\/a> Manta also argues that legal recourse would be more effective, if the process could take advantage of slam claims courts as a way of \u201cdiscourage[ing]\u201d behaviors that may bring significant dignitary, emotional, and other harms\u201d to the individuals using these dating apps.[13]<\/a> Finally, she argues that statutory damages should be available to victims of sexual fraud.[14]<\/a> She makes the point that proving this fraudulent behavior and thus allowing an individual to recover damages is easier now than ever\u2014since the evidence is saved on these dating apps.[15]<\/a> Overall, the theory requires that a profile be truthful and that what is advertised on an individual\u2019s profile does not mislead another, or pay the consequences of fraudulent behavior.[16]<\/a> Manta believes this is an integral first step in making online dating, and the Internet more generally, a safe place to be. [17]<\/a><\/p>\n Nevertheless, though legal recourse for this kind of sexual fraud is limited, states have formed legislation to help protect their citizens. Though this is a positive step, the legislation still has a way to go. As more and more stories of scams like the Tinder Swindler come to light, it\u2019s fair to assume that the law may also evolve to protect individuals using these apps. If it doesn\u2019t, will the responsibility begin to fall on the app developers themselves?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> The Tinder Swindler<\/em>, Wikipedia (Mar. 13, 2022), https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Tinder_Swindler.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Maya Yang, American Lost $1bn to Tinder-Swindler style romance cons last year, FBI <\/em>says, The Guardian, <\/em>(Feb. 15, 2022), https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2022\/feb\/15\/tinder-swindler-americans-romance-scam-con-fbi.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [5]<\/a> See<\/em> Emily Smith, \u2018Tinder Swindler\u2019 victim suffers legal setback<\/em>, Page Six, (Mar. 14, 2022), https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2022\/03\/14\/tinder-swindler-victim-pernilla-sjoholm-suffers-legal-setback\/.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Amy Polacko, Netflix\u2019s \u2018Tinder Swindler\u2019 isn\u2019t alone. Beware Match monsters and Bumble betrayers, too<\/em>, NBC News, (Feb. 11, 2022), https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/think\/opinion\/netflix-tinder-swindler-simon-leviev-isn-t-only-dating-app-ncna1288981.<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Irina D. Manta, Tinder Lies<\/em>, 54 Wake Forest L. Rev. 207, 207 (2019).<\/p>\n [11]<\/a> Id.<\/em> at 207.<\/p>\n [12]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [13]<\/a> Id.<\/em> at 207-08.<\/p>\n [14]<\/a> Id.<\/em> at 208.<\/p>\n [15]<\/a> Manta, supra<\/em> note 10, at 236.<\/p>\n
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