Silent Takeover of Muslim Dating App Salams Sparks Outrage Over CEO’s Pro-Israel Ties and Data Privacy Fears

The Muslim marriage app Salams, a platform serving over 7.5 million users, is facing a mass exodus after its undisclosed acquisition by Match Group—the parent company of Tinder, Hinge, and OKCupid—came to light alongside revelations about its new CEO’s support for Israeli military campaigns in Gaza. 

The deal, finalized in late 2023, was buried in a February 2025 earnings report, with no direct communication to users. The fallout has been swift, with Muslim communities condemning the lack of transparency, the CEO’s political stance, and fears over data security under a corporation with ties to surveillance tech. 

Salams, launched in 2015 as Minder, was a go-to platform for Muslim singles seeking faith-aligned relationships. Its acquisition by Match Group was never announced—users discovered it months later through a single line in an earnings report. 

"There were no push notifications. No in-app banners. No emails. Not even a tweet. Just silence," one report noted. 

Shahzad Younas, CEO of rival app Muzz, accused Match Group of deliberate concealment: "It was intentional not to publicize the acquisition until quite late, given the situation in Gaza and sensitivities. It is clear Match Group tried to hide something." Younas revealed Match Group had attempted to buy Muzz four times, offering up to $35 million, but he refused, calling their practices "unethical." 

The backlash exploded when Spencer Rascoff, Match Group’s newly appointed CEO, was revealed to have publicly supported Israeli military efforts. 

On LinkedIn, Rascoff endorsed a fundraiser for American Jews serving in the IDF, writing: "Proud to support Ohana co-founders Jacob Ian Halbert and Ezra Gershanok's campaign to help cover rent bills for Israeli soldiers fighting overseas." 

The linked GoFundMe campaign stated its goal was to provide "one month of rent relief to twenty verified Israelis" who left the U.S. to join the war post-October 7. Another shared article from the New York Post framed the conflict as Israelis fighting "terrorists intent on wiping the Jewish state off the map." 

For Salams users, this was a breaking point. "Do you guys have any shame? Sold your soul to Zionists," one user seethed on X. The r/MuslimMarriage subreddit banned Salams discussions, citing "significant misalignment with our values" and Match Group’s "investment in the oppression of our brothers and sisters abroad." 

Rascoff’s ties to Palantir, a CIA-linked surveillance firm, deepened distrust. As a board member from 2020–2022, he oversaw a company accused of supplying AI tools to the Israeli military. With Salams now under Match Group, users fear their data—including private conversations and religious preferences—could be exploited. 

"User data is integrated with other Match platforms by end of 2025," warned a privacy advocate. "No updated privacy policy has been announced." 

The concerns aren’t abstract: In 2024, Tinder was allegedly used in a U.S. military psy-op targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Though Match Group claimed ignorance, critics ask: If Tinder can be weaponized, what stops Salams? 

Moreover, the timing couldn’t be worse. With over 50,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza and the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, Muslim users see Salams’ sale as a betrayal. 

"A Muslim-focused app was acquired by a corporation led by someone who actively supports the Israeli military—all without user consent," wrote the activist account @boycatapp. 

The outrage extends to Match Group’s billionaire stakeholder Paul Singer, a vocal Zionist whose foundation funds pro-Israel think tanks. "Zionists are once again infiltrating Muslim spaces," a viral tweet declared. 

Calls to abandon Salams are mounting, with users migrating to alternatives like Muzz. 

Demands include: Full transparency from Match Group on data policies, an opt-out option for users unwilling to stay under new ownership and lastly, divestment from companies tied to military or surveillance operations. 

"Privacy is a right. Palestine is a cause. And silence is never neutral," concluded one advocate.