Bumble Settles Lawsuit with New Jersey Over Safety Concerns
Contributed by: kellyseal on Wednesday, March 06 2024 @ 11:44 am
Last modified on Wednesday, March 06 2024 @ 11:49 am
Dating app Bumble agreed to pay the state of New Jersey $315,000 in a settlement after the state’s Attorney General Matthew Platkin argued that the dating company violated state consumer protection and internet dating safety laws. The lawsuit alleged that Bumble allowed convicted sex offenders and other criminals on the app without warning other users.
Starting in 2020, the Division of Consumer Affairs launched an investigation into Bumble and Badoo dating platforms amid concerns of sexual assault occurring on the dating apps, and found that the company either “inaccurately represented their criminal background screening policies or failed to disclose them all,” according to NJBiz.com. They concluded that this violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and the Internet Dating Safety Act.
Bumble Inc. owns both Bumble and Badoo dating apps.
In addition to the payment, Bumble has agreed to make changes to its platforms, including accurately disclosing the company’s criminal background screening policies on its websites and apps. It also agreed to disclose that its apps could allow individuals with criminal backgrounds to access the service and communicate with users, and to provide details regarding the background screenings, according to NJBiz.com[*1] .
Safety has been an issue on dating apps, since most don’t have adequate screening of users’ criminal backgrounds or even verifying their identities. Fake profiles are rampant on most dating apps, making it easier for sexual predators to use them.
As a result, dating app companies are starting to focus more on safety. Match Group has recently added ID Verification using AI technology to match someone’s official ID, such as a Driver’s License or Passport, to a video selfie as well as the photos that user uploads, to ensure it’s the same person. Birthdates are also verified.
The lack of a more rigorous verification process has also made it easier for those with violent histories or criminal backgrounds to use these apps, putting users’ safety at risk.
The settlement requires Bumble to update its disclosures related to criminal background screenings on both Bumble and Badoo platforms within 45 days. The company is also required to send all New Jersey users an email and pop-up notification informing them of the disclosure policy updates, as well as a notice outlining the limitations of such criminal background screenings.
“Our internet dating safety law requires companies to tell New Jersey members exactly what they’re doing – or not doing – to identify dangerous offenders and prevent them from accessing the online profiles of our residents,” said Platkin. “Compliance with that law is not optional.”