Match Group Acquires Muslim Dating App Salams in Unannounced Deal

Match Group, the company behind dating platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid, has quietly acquired Salams, a popular Muslim matchmaking app with over 7.5 million users. Unlike previous acquisitions, the deal was not publicly announced, with its only mention appearing in Match Group’s fourth-quarter earnings report in February.

Originally launched as Minder in 2015, Salams has been a key platform for Muslim singles looking for marriage-focused connections. Its acquisition by Match Group marks a significant change for the niche app, though it remains unclear whether any operational changes will follow. Match Group has apparently owned Salams since October 2023.

The lack of transparency surrounding the acquisition has sparked concern among some users, with a large part of the controversy stemming from the ongoing political issues surrounding Israel, Gaza and Palestine – as well as concern over whether or not Match Group will make any politically-driven changes to the platform or approach its ownership with proper ethics. Beyond that, some users have expressed concerns that the app’s values and privacy policies could shift under Match Group’s ownership, while others worry about the potential monetization of user data within a larger corporate structure.

Despite the controversy, Match Group has not issued a public statement addressing these concerns or outlining any future plans for Salams. Historically, the company has acquired and integrated niche dating platforms, sometimes maintaining their independence and branding while leveraging its broader resources to expand their reach. It remains to be seen whether Match Group will make adjustments to Salams in response to user concerns or if the platform’s existing model will continue unchanged.