Bumble is pulling out all the stops to transform its platforms into safe havens for initiating new relationships, including face-to-face rendezvous. The freshly-minted community guidelines—which also govern sister apps Badoo and Bumble For Friends—are designed to curtail ghosting and absenteeism from planned real-life gatherings.
In a bold move, Bumble has declared that skipping out on a scheduled in-person meet-up after a mutual agreement is a no-no. According to the company, it’s the first in the dating app realm to officially address this issue. Bumble notes that experts have pointed out the considerable toll being ghosted or stood up can take on an individual’s mental health, contributing to symptoms like depression, anxiety, and plummeting self-worth.
The new policies categorize failing to show up for IRL dates and ghosting as forms of abusive and bullying behavior. At present, the app is relying on its users to flag these incidents. “Currently, our community members can call out misconduct within the apps,” mentioned a Bumble spokesperson. “Once we receive a report, our human moderation team will thoroughly vet the incident before taking any actions.”
Moreover, victim-blaming behaviors, such as shaming someone for surviving a sexual assault, are strictly forbidden across all three platforms. According to Bumble, this is an unprecedented step in the industry aimed at cultivating “a community rooted in safety and mutual respect.” The revised guidelines also offer more explicit language concerning Bumble’s stance on doxxing.
While many platforms enact penalties for unlawful behavior that takes place outside their ecosystem, Bumble’s no-show policy also falls under this umbrella. Therefore, if Bumble learns that an individual is engaging in victim-blaming or doxxing on external platforms like X/Twitter, punitive actions may be taken against the offender’s account within the Bumble universe.
Another issue Bumble is tackling head-on with its updated rules is the use of bots to manipulate social interactions. Henceforth, Bumble, Badoo, and Bumble For Friends are clamping down on “any attempts to artificially affect connections, matches, or conversations through automated means or scripts.” In layman’s terms, if you’re caught using ChatGPT to up your dating game, you might find your profile banished to the digital shadow realm.
Similarly, users are now prohibited from using any of Bumble’s platforms to market an OnlyFans account or comparable adult services. A sweeping prohibition is now in place against “the promotion, sale, or purchase of sexually explicit content.” This initiative aims to eradicate the pesky spam that frequents dating apps like an unwelcome guest at a party.
Bumble assures that it will remain vigilant, continually updating its guidelines to counteract “evolving risks and potential hazards emanating from new user behaviors.” To enforce these regulations, the company employs automated tools that pre-emptively detect guideline violations, including but not limited to harassment and hate speech. Bumble’s digital bouncers have already shown some muscle this year, booting out over 8.2 million accounts across its various platforms, the majority of which were identified and jettisoned by automated systems.
Update, August 31, 2023, 3:20 PM ET: This article has been modified to incorporate Bumble’s additional comments on the enforcement of its ghosting and no-show policies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about It looks like your message is empty. Was there something specific you wanted to ask or discuss? Feel free to fire away!
What is the primary focus of Bumble’s updated community guidelines?
The primary focus of Bumble’s updated community guidelines is to make its platforms safer for users, specifically by tackling issues like ghosting, no-shows for in-person meetups, and abusive behavior.
How is Bumble handling ghosting and no-shows for real-life meetups?
Bumble has now categorized ghosting and failing to appear for pre-arranged in-person dates as forms of abusive and bullying behavior. Currently, the app relies on users to report such incidents, which are then verified by human moderators.
What does Bumble say about the psychological impact of ghosting?
According to Bumble, experts have indicated that being ghosted or stood up can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental well-being, leading to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and decreased self-esteem.
What action is Bumble taking against bots and automated scripts?
Bumble, along with its sister apps Badoo and Bumble For Friends, will now prohibit any attempts to artificially influence connections, matching, conversations, or engagement through automation or scripting. Using bots like ChatGPT could get your profile removed.
Is Bumble taking any steps to prevent victim-blaming?
Yes, victim-blaming, such as shaming someone for being a survivor of sexual assault, is now strictly prohibited across all three platforms (Bumble, Badoo, and Bumble For Friends). Bumble claims this is an industry-first measure.
How does Bumble plan to enforce these updated community guidelines?
Bumble will rely on both user reports and automated systems to enforce these guidelines. The company also states that it will continue to adapt its guidelines to address emerging risks and potential harms from new user behaviors.
What is Bumble’s stance on promoting adult content?
Promoting an OnlyFans account or any similar adult services is now explicitly banned on all of Bumble’s platforms. This is part of the company’s initiative to crack down on spam and inappropriate content.
How many accounts has Bumble blocked this year for violating its guidelines?
So far this year, Bumble has blocked more than 8.2 million accounts across its apps. The majority of these were detected and removed by its automated systems.
Was there a recent update or clarification from Bumble on enforcing its new policies?
Yes, the article was updated on August 31, 2023, to include additional comments from Bumble about how it plans to enforce its policies on ghosting and no-shows.
More about It looks like your message is empty. Was there something specific you wanted to ask or discuss? Feel free to fire away!
- Bumble’s Official Community Guidelines
- The Psychological Impact of Ghosting
- Overview of Online Dating Safety Measures
- Industry Standards for Victim-Blaming Prevention
- The Rise of Bots in Online Dating
- Statistics on Abusive Behavior in Online Dating
- Guide to Reporting and Moderation in Dating Apps
- OnlyFans and Its Impact on Dating Apps
8 comments
Wait, did I read that right? Using ChatGPT might get u kicked off Bumble? Lol, as if anyone using ChatGPT is good at dating in the first place.
8.2 million accounts blocked? That’s like the population of a small country! Bumble’s not playin around.
Woah, Bumble’s getting serious huh? No more ghostin’ and stuff. But relying on user reports? C’mon, that’s kinda old school, they gotta come up with somethin better.
Interesting how Bumble is tryin to police what happens off the app too. Good luck with that. Can’t really control the internet, ya know?
Victim blaming is outlawed? Well, it’s about time! Kudos to Bumble for taking the lead. Industry should follow, man.
LOL, Bumble acting like the online dating police. Hope they don’t start banning food pics, that’s how I judge potential dates!
Cool they’re thinking about mental health and all, but what are they doin to be more eco-friendly? All these apps, so much energy, just sayin.
I get it, they wanna make it safe and all, but what’s with the ban on promoting OnlyFans? A gal’s gotta hustle, right?