Match Group announced today that Alphonso David, President of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, and Natalie Ludaway, the former Chief Deputy Attorney General for the District of Columbia, have joined the Match Group Advisory Council (MGAC). They will add to Match Group’s industry-leading group of experts and advocates involved in the study and prevention of sexual assault, abuse, online harassment, and related issues.

As a leading provider of dating products, Match Group plays an important role in defining and elevating safety standards for the industry as a whole. The company not only works diligently to invest in and improve its own safety procedures and technologies, but also partners with law enforcement, legislators, and regulators to create and support policies and laws aimed to keep the internet safer.

“As industry leaders, safety and a positive user experience has always been a critical focus of our businesses. We invest in new technologies, work with leading experts, and look at new features towards this goal, and we will continue to do so to improve our systems at every opportunity,” said Shar Dubey, CEO of Match Group. “Alphonso and Natalie have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to justice and making society more equitable for all people. Their real-world expertise, knowledge and resources will be invaluable as we continue to bring people together in meaningful ways.”

David has been at the forefront of the movement for LGBTQ equality for almost two decades. He is a nationally recognized LGBTQ civil rights lawyer and advocate currently serving as the President of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group in the United States. Prior to his work with the Human Rights Campaign, David served as Chief Counsel to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and as New York state’s Deputy Secretary and Counsel for Civil Rights, responsible for a full range of legal, policy, legislative, and operational matters affecting civil rights and labor.

Ludaway brings a deep background in law enforcement, having worked on issues involving sexual harassment, discrimination, civil rights, consumer protection, and privacy. She was the Chief Deputy Attorney General for the District of Columbia from 2015-2020. In that role, Ludaway oversaw multistate and single jurisdiction investigations, enforcement, and litigation matters in all areas of AG authority. She is currently a partner at Crowell & Moring as a member of its State Attorneys General and Litigation practices.

“It is important that LGBTQ people feel safe and welcomed on dating apps, especially since it’s the predominant way that many, including LGBTQ people, are meeting,” said Alphonso David. “We want to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect as they are searching for new connections. Working with this Council, we seek to ensure that LGBTQ people receive all of the appropriate support and resources available.”

“I am proud of my public service record, which includes leading the initiatives at the Attorney General’s offices against human trafficking and creating the first civil rights section to protect the civil rights of District residents through stronger laws, litigation, education, and community outreach,” said Natalie Ludaway. “I look forward to working with Match Group and their Advisory Council to further these causes of safety and equality.”

Since its formation in 2018, the MGAC has taken an integral role in informing Match Group’s development of safety features and resources, including the integration of Noonlight (a first-of-its-kind personal alarm system), the roll-out of Match’s Date Check-In feature, and the implementation of video chat across the portfolio amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to David and Ludaway, the Match Group Advisory Council includes: Scott Berkowitz, Founder of RAINN; Tarana Burke, Founder of the Me Too Movement; Catherine Chen, Chief Program Officer of Polaris; John F. Clark, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); Julie Cordua, CEO of Thorn; Yolanda Edrington, COO of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center; and Dr. Judy L. Postmus, Founder of the Center on Violence Against Women & Children at Rutgers University. The council meets bi-annually to evaluate company policies and solicit recommendations on how to improve safety on our platforms.