SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Dating app Bumble has agreed to a settlement with the State of New Jersey for violating consumer protection laws.
New Jersey Attorney Gen. Matt Platkin says the dating service misrepresented its criminal background screening policies or failed to disclose if there were policies at all.
“New Jersey residents using internet dating services have a right to know if convicted sex offenders and other violent criminals may be among the pool of potential suitors reaching out to them online,” said Platkin.
He says state law requires dating apps to clearly inform users about what they are doing, or what they aren’t doing, to identify dangerous offenders. “Compliance with that law is not optional,” he said.
The state’s investigation into Bumble began in 2020 over growing concerns about sexual assaults occurring via online dating.
As part of the settlement, Bumble will pay a $315,000 fine and must change its business practices. Platkin says this includes informing users if people with criminal histories have access to the dating pool, as well as being transparent to users about its screening policies.