Muslim dating app Salams acquired by Match Group under Israel-supporting CEO

US-based Match Group, the parent company behind dating platforms such as Tinder and Hinge, has ‘silently’ acquired Salams, a Muslim matchmaking app with more than 7.5 million users.

The acquisition was not publicly announced, and many Salams users report they were not informed about the change in ownership. The silent acquisition of Salams is expected to lead to courtcases as Israeli army-supporting CEO is leading Match Group, Salam’s new owner.

Match Group’s acquisition of Salams was only mentioned in earnings report

The only mention of Salams by Match Group appeared in a Feb. 4 earnings report detailing the company’s fourth-quarter and full-year financial results.

On the same day, Match Group announced Spencer Rascoff as its new CEO.

Rascoff, who started serving on the company’s board recently, has drawn criticism for his outspoken support of the Israeli military and financial contributions to programs assisting American Jews in traveling to Israel to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Israeli army is accused of commiting genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued arrest warrants citing war crimes and crimes against humanity for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.

In a LinkedIn post, Rascoff described his financial assistance as supporting efforts in Israel’s war against Gaza.

Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff’s post on LinkedIn in 2024 in support of a financial campaign for Jewish Americans participating in genocide against Palestinians.

Concerns over the acquisition and Rascoff’s leadership have surfaced on social media and online forums. A moderator on a Muslim-focused Reddit community announced that discussions and promotions related to Salams would be banned, citing Match Group’s alleged involvement in the oppression of Palestinians. The statement encouraged users to explore alternative matchmaking platforms.

New CEO Rascoff’s history with surveillance company Palantir

Rascoff’s background has further fueled controversy. From 2020 to 2022, he served on the board of Palantir, a U.S.-based surveillance and data analytics company with ties to law enforcement and military intelligence.

Salams, originally launched as Minder in 2015, has been a prominent platform for Muslim singles seeking marriage and safe relationship. The acquisition by Match Group, a corporation with a vast portfolio of dating apps, marks a significant shift for the niche platform, though it remains unclear what operational changes, if any, will follow.

Match Group has not publicly addressed concerns from the Muslim community regarding the acquisition or Rascoff’s leadership.

The lack of transparency surrounding the deal and the political implications of its new CEO’s affiliations have led to growing skepticism among Muslim users.

As backlash mounts, some are calling for increased scrutiny of Match Group’s role in faith-based and culturally specific dating platforms.

Death toll from Israel’s war reaches 50,399

At least 42 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 50,399, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

A ministry statement said that 183 more injured people were also transferred to hospitals in the past 24 hours, taking the number of injuries to 114,583 in the Israeli onslaught.

“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing 1,042 people and injuring over 2,500 others despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.