Bumble Turns To AI To Block Fake Profiles, Launches Deception Detector Feature

Globally, respondents in a Bumble survey cited fake profiles and the risk of scams as their top concerns when online dating.

Online dating and networking app Bumble is the latest to turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and block fake, spam and scam profiles on the platform, with the new Deception Detector feature. According to Bumble, the latest feature is specially crafted to combat spam, scams and fraudulent profiles preemptively, shielding members from facing them. The company asserts that within a mere two months of its implementation, there has been a noteworthy 45 per cent decline in fake profiles reported by users.

The release of Deception Detector feature is the latest from Bumble's AI innovations across its products, in line with the company's history of combating misogyny, harassment and toxicity online.

According to a research by Bumble Inc., globally, respondents cited fake profiles and the risk of scams as their top concerns when online dating. In India, 29 per cent of respondents expressed keeping their personal data safer and 28 per cent respondents said the risk of scams were their top concerns when meeting or dating people online.

This concern and anxiety can lead people to miss out on meaningful connections that can positively impact their lives, the dating site noted. 

The company previously introduced other detection capabilities such as Private Detector, an industry-first feature that utilises AI to detect and blur lewd nude images, and was one of the first dating apps to utilise AI for photo verification. Recently, Bumble has introduced Best Bees, an AI algorithm that provides a higher level of curation for members, while Bumble For Friends has AI-powered conversation starters to provide members with a tailored, meaningful message when reaching out to a new connection. 

Bumble Inc. was also a founding member and the first dating app to join forces with the Partnership on AI, reinforcing its focus on responsible technology. Deception Detector has been rolled out across Bumble, Badoo, and Bumble For Friends. 

"In recent years, the online landscape has evolved significantly, and we see a growing concern about authenticity. Bumble Inc. was founded with the aim to build equitable relationships and empower women to make the first move, and Deception Detector is our latest innovation as part of our ongoing commitment to our community to help ensure that connections made on our apps are genuine," Lidiane Jones, CEO at Bumble Inc., said in a statement.