Bumble unveiled today the introduction of a new AI-driven feature aimed at detecting spam, scams, and fake profiles. Dubbed the “Deception Detector,” this tool is engineered to preemptively tackle malicious content, shielding Bumble users from encountering such instances.
During testing phases, Bumble reported a remarkable success rate, with the tool automatically blocking 95% of accounts identified as spam or scam-related. Within the initial two months of testing, user reports concerning spam, scams, and fraudulent accounts saw a notable decrease of 45%. The Deception Detector functions in tandem with Bumble’s human moderation team.
The introduction of the new feature coincides with Bumble’s internal research findings, revealing that fake profiles and the potential for scams rank among users’ primary concerns in the realm of online dating. According to the company, 46% of women expressed apprehension regarding the authenticity of their online matches on dating platforms.
Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones remarked in a statement, “Bumble Inc. was established with the mission to cultivate equitable relationships and empower women to initiate connections, and the Deception Detector stands as our latest innovation in our ongoing commitment to our community, ensuring that interactions facilitated on our platforms are authentic.” Jones emphasized, “With a steadfast focus on women’s online experiences, we acknowledge that in the era of artificial intelligence, trust holds greater significance than ever.”
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) disclosed last year that romance scams inflicted a staggering $1.3 billion in losses upon victims in 2022, with a median reported loss of $4,400. According to the report, while romance scammers frequently target individuals through dating apps, it’s more prevalent for people to fall prey to scams via direct messages (DMs) on social media platforms. Notably, 40% of those who fell victim to romance scams indicated that initial contact occurred through social media, while 19% reported it started on a website or app.
Bumble’s latest AI tool represents the company’s commitment to enhancing app safety. Back in 2019, Bumble rolled out a “Private Detector” feature, which automatically obscures and identifies nude images in chats, giving users the option to view the image or report the user.
Furthermore, Bumble is harnessing AI technology within Bumble For Friends, its dedicated app for forging friendships. The app recently debuted AI-powered icebreaker suggestions, which assist users in crafting and sending an initial message based on the recipient’s profile. While users can customize the question or request an alternative suggestion, they are limited to employing only one AI-generated icebreaker per chat.
It’s important to highlight that both the Private Detector and Deception Detector features are operational in both Bumble and Bumble for Friends applications.
