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Users keep saying that the platform blocked them for no reason.
The matchmaking app Tinder knows no mercy when the terms of use and rules of conduct are violated: Anyone who misbehaves will be blocked – forever. It is then no longer possible to create a new profile unless you get a new mobile number. There are also reports from those affected who state that they also need a new smartphone, since Tinder also checks the hardware when registering.
Fed off with standard answers
However, there are always cases in which users say they have been blocked for no reason. Martin* is also convinced that he didn’t do anything wrong: he had a “match” with a woman – and when he tried to reply to her suggestion of a possible meeting place, he could no longer log in. “It was said that my account was blocked because I had violated the terms of use,” Martin tells the SRF consumer magazine “Espresso”.
It said my account was suspended for violating the terms of service.
He then read these conditions and the so-called community guidelines again – and he was sure: “I did not violate them.” But when he went to Tinder support several times, Martin always got the same standard answers: Tinder takes violations of the terms of use very seriously, his account has been blocked and he can’t create a new profile. No further support can be given.
Reasons for blocked accounts are deliberately not communicated in order to protect those users who have reported the misconduct.
Tinder remains adamant
Since his Tinder account is suspended, Martin cannot prove that he behaved correctly. However, “Espresso” spoke to Martin on the phone several times. His descriptions are believable. In addition, it is not the first time that «Espresso» reported such a case. And other media have already picked up similar cases.
On request, Tinder is buttoned up on this topic. Even general questions – such as the number of blocked accounts – remain unanswered. And with regard to Martin’s specific case, it only says that it was checked and that the user did indeed break the rules. However, there is no evidence for this, with reference to data protection.
But then I would at least expect Tinder to tell me what I allegedly did wrong.
Protect other users
In such cases, Tinder puts forward one argument: Reasons for blocked accounts are deliberately not communicated in order to protect those users who reported the misconduct. That may be well intentioned. However, one may wonder if a person who misbehaved towards another Tinder member and is banned shortly thereafter doesn’t know who reported them anyway.
The situation remains uncomfortable for Martin. He feels wrongly blamed and abandoned by Tinder. In addition, he will not get back the almost 90 francs that he recently paid for his Tinder subscription: Tinder excludes refunds for rule violations. “But then I would at least expect Tinder to tell me what I’m supposed to have done wrong.”
*Name changed