Tinder co-founder accuses boss of 'sexual abuse'

A co-founder of popular dating app Tinder has filed a lawsuit against the company claiming she was repeatedly called a "slut" and a "whore" and ultimately pushed out of the organisation.

In her lawsuit, Whitney Wolfe describes the company as "misogynist" and "alpha-male" and claims she was stripped of her titles because chief marketing officer Justin Mateen thought "having a young female co-founder 'makes the company seem like a joke' and 'devalues' the company."

The app allows singles to meet each other based on their location.

Ms Wolfe was one of five who helped launch Tinder in 2012 and soon began dating Manteen, even though she claims he repeatedly called her a "slut" and a "whore" in front of co-workers.

Along with the sexual harassment claims, Ms Wolfe has also included text messages sent to her by Manteen in which he called her a "gold digger" and a "liberal lying desperate slut".

In her statement, Ms Wolfe said she was forced to launch legal action after she was fired when she decided to complain to the company about the abuse.

"I had hoped this would be resolved confidentially, but after months of failed attempts, I have decided to pursue this suit," Ms Wolfe said.

Mr Manteen has since been suspended from his role pending an internal investigation.

Source: New York Daily News

Author: Natasha Lee, Approving editor: Nick Pearson