Bumble, the popular dating app, is taking steps to ensure that its platform remains a safe space for users to meet new people. In its latest community guidelines, Bumble is addressing issues such as ghosting, no-shows, victim blaming, and the use of bots. These guidelines also apply to Badoo and Bumble For Friends, two other apps owned by Bumble.
To tackle the issue of ghosting or people failing to show up for pre-arranged meetups, Bumble’s guidelines discourage this behavior by disallowing the act of not turning up to an in-person meetup despite clear plans agreed upon by both parties. Bumble claims to be the first dating platform to take a stance on this issue, as being stood up or ghosted can have a profound impact on a person’s mental health, leading to feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem according to experts.
Under the updated policies, ghosting and no-showing are now classified as bullying and abusive conduct. However, it is unclear how Bumble plans to enforce rules around these behaviors outside of users reporting them. It remains to be seen how Bumble will address these issues effectively.
In addition to tackling ghosting, Bumble’s updated guidelines also address the problem of victim blaming. The platforms’ policy explicitly prohibits victim blaming, including shaming someone for being a survivor of sexual assault. Bumble considers this a significant measure to promote a safe and respectful community. The Violence and Bullying Policy has also been updated to include clarified language related to the platform’s ban on doxxing.
It is noteworthy that Bumble is not the only service taking action against off-platform activities. Bumble’s no-show policy may extend to taking action against users who victim-blame or doxx others outside of the app. If Bumble becomes aware of screenshots from the app being used to attack a victim on social media platforms, it may take action against the offender’s account on its own platforms.
Another issue that Bumble is addressing in its guidelines is the use of bots. Users are now prohibited from attempting to artificially influence connections, matching, conversations, or engagement through the use of automation or scripting. This means that anyone caught using chatbots or automation tools to make themselves seem more interesting after a match may be banned from Bumble.
The guidelines also include a blanket ban on the promotion of adult content in profiles. Users are prohibited from attempting to sell, advertise, or buy adult sexual content. This measure is aimed at cracking down on spam and inappropriate content that often appears on dating apps.
Bumble commits to continuously updating its guidelines to address emerging risks and potential harms that may arise from new behaviors. The company utilizes automated safeguards to identify and tackle guideline violations before users even report them. These automated systems help address instances of harassment, identity-based hate, and other harmful behavior. Bumble has already blocked over 8.2 million accounts across its apps this year, with the majority of them being detected and removed by these automated systems.
Overall, Bumble’s updated community guidelines demonstrate its commitment to creating a safe and respectful space for users to connect and meet new people. By addressing issues such as ghosting, victim blaming, the use of bots, and the promotion of adult content, Bumble aims to foster a positive and enjoyable experience for its users.
