A California man has successfully sued Tinder, claiming its policy to charge over 30s more money for its bonus features is ageist.
Allan Candelore, 33, launched his lawsuit in Los Angeles in May 2015 when he was 31.
He complained that it was ageist for the dating app to charge over 30s $19.99-a- month for Tinder Plus but allow under 30s to use it for $9.99.
Tinder Plus gives users bonus features like the ability to unswipe someone if they accidentally reject them. The basic version of the app is free.
Tinder has been deemed ‘ageist’ for its pricing tiers which charged over 30s $19.99 a month for special features while under 30s paid just $9.99
In its response to Candelore’s suit, Tinder argued that it was fair to charge under 30s less to use the premium service because younger people are generally more strapped for cash.
But Candelore, who works as a realtor and is an advocate for men’s rights who has previously sued women’s groups before for not letting him into events, said that outlook was unfair.
Initially, a judge agreed with Tinder and dismissed Candelore’s complaint.
He appealed it in Los Angeles’ Supreme Court and won on January 28.
It is not clear from available court records whether or not he ever used the app himself or if he launched his lawsuit out of principle.
He did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request on Friday morning.
The court ruled in his favor either way.
In their decision, the judge ruled: ‘No matter what Tinder’s market research may have shown about the younger users’ relative income and willingness to pay for the service, as a group, as compared to the older cohort, some individuals will not fit the mold.
We swipe left and reverse
Los Angeles Supreme Court judges
‘Some older consumers will be “more budget constrained” and less willing to pay than some in the younger group.
‘Accordingly, we swipe left, and reverse.’
Candelore will have his legal fees paid by the company as a result.
Tinder introduced the bonus features in March 2015, two months before Candelore’s suit.
They said the $10 discount was necessary to encourage under 30s to ‘pull the trigger’ to buy the service.
It also allows users to ‘swipe around the world’ through a Tinder ‘passport’, removing the radius-driven restrictions that apply to the free version.
Tinder Gold is the next step up and lets users see who has liked their profile or swiped right for them.
It is available to Tinder Plus users for an additional $4.99, meaning they pay a total of $25 or $15, depending on their age.
Tinder has not revealed what the new price will be.
A representative for the dating app did not immediately return a request for comment.