Listen to this articleDating app Bumble introduced on Wednesday it’s going to begin banning users who are ‘fat-phobic’ or ‘transphobic’. “Bumble’s mission has always been to build a platform rooted in respect and kindness”, the Austin Texas-based firm mentioned.
“Body shaming is not acceptable on or off of the Bumble app. For those who may not know, body shaming means forcing your opinion of a ‘good body’ onto others”, Bumble mentioned.
The new replace follows rising concern of abuse on dating apps. A current survey of 1,003 individuals in Britain by Bumble discovered that one in 4 individuals in Britain have been body-shamed on-line on a dating app or social media.
In addition, 54% of the individuals surveyed mentioned they are much less possible to really feel good after spending an prolonged period of time on the web. Body shaming makes individuals really feel self-conscious (35%), insecure (33%) and indignant (25%), in accordance to the report.
Bumble, which urges ladies to “make the first move”, will use an algorithm to flag phrases that are thought of derogatory equivalent to mocking somebody’s bodily look. This will embody language that’s fatphobic, racist, or homophobic.
A 2016 survey of dating app for plus-size ladies by WooPlus, found that 71% of 1,000 ladies who known as themselves “curvy” had additionally been fat-shamed by males on different dating apps. One consumer reported being “harassed so many times for both my height and weight. I guess I’ve triggered some size related existential crises,” whereas one other respondent mentioned: “I have also been told that if I were to lose weight that I could pass as a decent looking person.”
A 2020 Pew research additionally discovered that 33% of ladies on dating apps had been known as an offensive title by one other consumer.
Bumble desires to foster “a kinder, more respectful and more equal space on the internet,” mentioned Naomi Walkland, Bumble’s Director of Marketing in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Key to this has always been our zero-tolerance policy for racist and hate-driven speech, abusive behavior and harassment.”
According to Bumble, “People who use body shaming language in their profile or through the Bumble app’s chat function will receive a warning for their inappropriate behavior.” “Repeated incidents or particularly harmful comments will result in being banned from the platform. If body shaming happens to you on Bumble you can report it using tools within the app, which include Block & Report, Unmatch & Report, and Hide & Report”, the company said.
Fans of the female-focused app say the brand new coverage is one more reason why they love Bumble, and need different dating apps to comply with swimsuit.
“I’m very interested in seeing how this works, and also EXTREMELY happy to see it launch,” music journalist, Courtney E. Smith tweeted.
“Maybe @Grindr could follow suit. That app is a cesspit of toxicity around the body and race,” said one fan of the change.
Tired of some dating web sites? Check out this alternative and create an account
