CAMPBELL, Calif. – The massive leak of personal information about members of infidelity dating site Ashley Madison harmed more than just one website and its users. In addition to damaging the personal, professional and political lives of those caught in the massive scandal, revelations about the presence of a significant number of “fembots” damaged the credibility of the online dating industry as a whole. No one, it seems, enjoys computer-generated women tricking them into paying for membership.
FriendFinder Networks Inc., operator of some of the largest, and most visited dating websites in the world — from adult-oriented AdultFriendFinder to traditional dating sites like FriendFinder and AsiaFriendFinder — is not amused by the deception or the companies that practice such subterfuge.
“FriendFinder does not and has never created and used computer-generated accounts to garner business on any of its sites,” chairman and founder Dr. Andrew Conru said. “We have never, and will never, create accounts purportedly belonging to real people in order to converse with other members, or for any other reason.
“This win-at-any-cost business practice is repugnant to us,” he continued. “It shows a total lack of respect for the users that support these sites. Companies that cannot commit to stop charging people money to interact with their self-created bots need to exit this industry.”
Conru also said FriendFinder believes its policy on the issue is unique in the adult dating space.
“We challenge our competitors to publicly make similar assurances to their members,” he said.
