Tinder's New Thing: Group Dates

IAC/InterActiveCorp IAC’s insanely popular dating app Tinder released a new feature on Thursday: Tinder Social. Pretty much borrowing the idea from other apps like Argentina’s Previando, the new feature allows users to create groups and meet others.

Users in the United States, the U.K. and India will now be able to find, in the latest version of the app, a new tab dedicated to group dates and outings. You will need to invite at least one friend on Facebook Inc FB to your Tinder Social “Event” before being able to start swiping. Once you do, you’ll find other individuals and groups looking to go out as well.

However, privacy concerns have already arisen, as the new feature shows users a list of their Facebook friends using Tinder social — much of Tinder’s appeal lied in the fact that it was quite private and did not give users away to its Facebook friends. When asked about the issue, a company spokesperson said, "Users must unlock Tinder Social by opting into the feature. If a user opts in, Tinder will display a list of Facebook friends (who have also unlocked Tinder Social) to choose from to add to their group.”

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CCS Insight consultancy’s Ben Wood added, “Tinder is seen by many as being a hook-up site… So, it needs to be careful. By expanding in this direction, rather than becoming a more interesting social meeting service, it could be perceived as an orgy app.”

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Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no interest in any of the securities or entities mentioned above.