As if the online dating game doesn’t make you feel bad enough. Imagine being 29+ (gasp!) and have America’s largest dating app treat you like you’re over the hill.
So opposite of the “senior” discount, Tinder had been charging users in California who were 29 and older twice as much for certain subscriptions as younger users. An age discrimination suit was filed and Tinder agreed to a settlement in 2019.
If you’re one of those Tinder old folks done wrong, you have until Feb. 9 to file your claim and get $50 if you meet the requirements. About 8 million people in the U.S. use the dating app, and in states other than California, those higher subscription rates still stand.
Of course, there are fine print details and we’ve got them.
Tinder Age Discrimination Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleged that Tinder broke several age discrimination laws specific to California when it charged a higher price to consumers over the age of 29 for the subscription services Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold.
The price of those subscriptions was $9.99 for users 29 years of age and younger and $19.99 for those over the age of 29. The age upcharge violates the California Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Unfair Competition Law.
Tinder denied the claim and refused to accept legal liability, claiming there is no legal basis that class members should be considered eligible for a relief payout.
However, an agreement was reached in 2019 and payouts will begin once the deadline for filing claims is reached.
Tinder Age Discrimination Settlement Details
Certain Tinder app users from California may be in line to claim a cash settlement as part of the class action lawsuit brought against the Texas-based company.
By “certain,’’ the lawsuit specifies eligible class members as:
Tinder users who subscribed to the Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold service upgrades between March 2, 2015 and March 1, 2019, and;
were at least 29 years old when they subscribed.
During that time period, Tinder charged users who were at least 29 years old a higher subscription fee for those two services. That’s age discrimination, and against the law, at least in California.
To join the class action lawsuit, claims must be submitted no later than Feb. 9, 2022.
Every class member who files a claim will receive up to $50 depending on how much money is left from the $5.2 million settlement after attorney’s fees and other legal costs are paid. The $50 amount also depends on how many class members file a claim for compensation.
Class members will also receive two Tinder-specific app upgrades — 70 Super Likes and one Boost. The value of those items is estimated at $118.30. Those awards are not dependent on the number of class members who join the suit.
Class Action Suits Help Consumers
Class action lawsuits are a popular vehicle for consumers to receive payment for illegal transactions conducted by American firms. It allows class members who meet filing standards to join in lawsuits without being required to hire their own lawyer or pay any court filing or litigation fees.
In September 2021, a $181 million price-fixing class action lawsuit was brought against several fresh and frozen chicken producers. If you bought chicken to be cooked at home between 2012 and 2020, which might just be every adult citizen in the country except vegetarians, you could qualify for a small payout. And, you have until Dec. 31, 2022, to file a claim.
While class action complainants may occasionally receive notifications by mail that they can join a class action lawsuit, often consumers are unaware they may be eligible for remuneration.
Top Class Actions operates a website which updates current existing class action lawsuits that you may be eligible to join. The Penny Hoarder also publishes monthly settlement deadlines.
Kent McDill is a veteran journalist who has specialized in personal finance topics since 2013. He is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
