Arnaud Poissonnier is a former banker who became an entrepreneur specializing in the collaborative economy. For 10 years, he scoured dating sites in search of a life partner. Now, as a speaker, he analyzes these platforms with the eye of a business analyst, dissecting what he calls their "glaring contradiction" – promising true love while delivering often disappointing results. As 83% of Europeans say they are dissatisfied with dating apps, Poissonnier urges lawmakers to regulate a sector he describes as "as dishonest as it is ineffective." He details his findings in his investigative book, Boîtes de conserve ("Canned Goods").

These tools lie to us – with complete impunity and at the risk of plunging users into despair. I wanted to expose this intellectual dishonesty by analyzing the quality of the service offered and user feedback. The state of affairs would horrify any businessperson.

In 2020, 83% of Europeans reported being dissatisfied with dating apps [according to a YouGov study for the app Once]. Simply put, my estimates show that 75% of users are seeking lasting love, but only 5% achieve that dream. In other words, these platforms lure customers in by presenting themselves as the perfect springboard for romance, yet, in the vast majority of cases, they only lead to disappointment – or short-lived relationships. Given these facts, it is hard not to call this false advertising.

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