Tinder $60.5 Million Settlement 2026, Did They Charge You More for Being Over 30?
Tinder charged California users over 29 nearly double what younger users paid for the exact same features. After a 10-year legal battle, Tinder agreed to a $60.5 million settlement that received preliminary court approval on January 13, 2026. If you paid for Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold in California while over 29, money may be coming your way — and you probably don’t even need to file a claim.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: Tinder, Inc. (Match Group)
- Case: Candelore v. Tinder, Inc., Case No. BC583162, Los Angeles Superior Court
- Settlement Amount: $60.5 million
- Who’s Covered: California residents who purchased Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold on or after March 2, 2015 while over age 29, or on or after March 2, 2016 while over age 28
- Class Period Ends: February 10, 2019
- Estimated Payout: Roughly $100–$300+, depending on how long you subscribed and how much you paid
- Claim Form Required? No — automatic payment if you’re in Tinder’s records
- Payment Method Deadline: August 18, 2026
- Official Settlement Site: TinderCALClassAction.com
The Most Important Thing to Know First
If you are an identified class member, no claim form is required. Just go to TinderCALClassAction.com and choose your preferred payment method. If you do nothing, the Settlement Administrator will still try to pay you using the contact information Tinder has on file — but selecting your method is the safest way to guarantee you get paid.
Payment options include PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, ACH direct deposit, or a mailed check.
Didn’t get a notice? Consumers who believe they may be a class member but did not receive a notice must complete the settlement verification form at TinderCALClassAction.com. All verification and payment selection forms must be submitted by August 18, 2026.
Who IS Eligible
You qualify if you purchased Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold in California on or after March 2, 2015, when you were over age 29 — or on or after March 2, 2016, when you were over age 28.
In plain terms: you need to have been 29 or older, living in California, and paying for a Tinder subscription during that window.
About 268,000 California Tinder users are covered by this settlement. If you received a notice from the Settlement Administrator, Tinder’s records already confirm your eligibility.
Who is NOT Eligible
- Anyone who subscribed outside California — this settlement only covers people who purchased Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold in California during the class period. Purchases made in other states are not included.
- Anyone who was under 29 (or under 28 after March 2016) when they subscribed
- Anyone who subscribed before March 2, 2015
- Anyone who already opted out of the settlement class
- Free Tinder users — only paid Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold subscribers are covered
How to Get Your Money (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Check if you got a notice If you received an email or mail notice from the Settlement Administrator, your eligibility is already confirmed. Move to Step 2.
Step 2: Go to TinderCALClassAction.com This is the only official settlement website. Don’t use any other site.
Step 3: Choose your payment method Select PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, ACH direct deposit, or a mailed check. Choosing your method is the fastest way to guarantee you get paid. If you don’t choose, the Settlement Administrator will attempt to pay you automatically using your email or phone number from Tinder’s records — but selecting your method yourself is safer.
Step 4: Didn’t get a notice? Submit a Verification Form If you didn’t receive a settlement notice but believe you qualify, submit a verification form online at TinderCALClassAction.com — or print the PDF and mail it to: Candelore v. Tinder Inc., P.O. Box 301172, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1172.
Step 5: Wait for final approval Payments won’t go out until after the final court hearing on May 20, 2026. The Settlement Administrator will issue payments approximately 90 days after final court approval. Expect payment in late 2026.
What Tinder Actually Did
Starting in March 2015, Tinder implemented an age-based pricing structure in California that charged users 30 and older nearly double what users under 30 paid for Tinder Plus. Younger users paid approximately $9.99 per month, while users 30 and older were charged $19.99 monthly for the exact same features.
Same app. Same features. Different price — based solely on age.
The lawsuit alleged this pricing violated California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and Unfair Competition Law. The Unruh Act prohibits businesses from discriminating against people based on characteristics like age. Tinder’s pricing, the lawsuit argued, did exactly that.
As part of the settlement, Tinder committed to stop age-based pricing for California subscribers — though it can still offer discounts to users under 21.
How We Got Here (The 10-Second Version)
Lead plaintiff Allan Candelore filed the lawsuit in March 2015. Federal settlement attempts were rejected by the Ninth Circuit in 2019 and 2021. In September 2025, parties finally reached a $60.5 million settlement at mediation. Judge Laura A. Seigle granted preliminary approval on January 14, 2026.
The Ninth Circuit twice rejected earlier settlements, most recently in 2023, ruling that the class representative had a conflict of interest. After that ruling, Tinder became willing for the first time to engage in real settlement discussions.
Ten years. Multiple failed settlements. One very persistent plaintiff.
Current Status and Key Dates
The settlement is preliminarily approved but not yet final. The opt-out and objection deadline is April 8, 2026. The final approval hearing is set for May 20, 2026. The payment method deadline is August 18, 2026.
Payments will be issued approximately 90 days after the court grants final approval. That puts the earliest realistic payment window in late 2026, assuming no appeals.
Tinder denies all wrongdoing. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.
How Much Will You Get?
After deducting attorney fees of up to approximately $20.6 million, litigation costs, administration expenses, and a service award, the estimated net fund is approximately $39.2 million to be split among roughly 268,000 class members. Estimated payments could range from around $100 to $300+.
Your exact amount depends on how long you subscribed and how much you paid. Class members who paid more to Tinder will receive a higher payment. And if fewer people than expected file or verify their participation, individual payouts could be higher.
FAQs
Do I need to file a claim?
No — if you’re already in Tinder’s records as an eligible class member, payment is automatic. You only need to act to choose your payment method or verify your eligibility if you didn’t receive a notice.
What if I didn’t get a notice?
Submit a verification form at TinderCALClassAction.com before August 18, 2026. You’ll need your email or phone number associated with your Tinder account and your approximate subscription dates.
What’s the class period?
Purchases of Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold in California between March 2, 2015 and February 10, 2019, while over age 29 (or age 28 after March 2016).
Does it matter where I live now?
No. What matters is that you were a California resident at the time you purchased your Tinder Plus or Gold subscription during the covered period.
Can I opt out?
Yes. If you opt out, you will not receive a payment but you will not be bound by the settlement and may pursue individual legal claims. Opt-out deadline is April 8, 2026.
Where is the official settlement site?
TinderCALClassAction.com. You can also call 1-888-808-8994 or mail the settlement administrator at: Candelore v. Tinder Inc., P.O. Box 301172, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1172.
Is this the only Tinder lawsuit?
No. Separate class actions involve Tinder’s alleged biometric data collection under Illinois’ BIPA law (2022), and a 2024 lawsuit accusing Tinder and Match Group apps of deliberately addicting users with dopamine-manipulating features. Neither has a settlement open for claims as of February 2026.
Last Updated:March 2, 2026
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah