Penalty Amount
$315,000
Bumble Inc. agreed to pay $315,000 and update its disclosures to settle allegations that it misrepresented its criminal background screening policies to New Jersey users, violating the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and Internet Dating Safety Act. The settlement requires Bumble to clearly disclose its screening practices and safety limitations on its dating platforms.
Bumble must pay a $315,000 civil penalty, update its website and app disclosures to accurately describe criminal background screening methods and limitations, and send email and pop-up notifications to all existing New Jersey users about the changes.
In-house legal teams should review all customer-facing agreements, particularly the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and any specific Safety or Dating Service Agreements. Focus on clauses describing security features, background screening processes, user safety measures, and limitations of liability. Required changes include ensuring all marketing and in-app representations about criminal background screening are accurately reflected in the contractual disclosures, clearly stating the scope, methodology, and limitations of any screening conducted, and obtaining explicit user consent where personal data is processed for such checks. Vendor agreements with third-party screening services should also be audited to ensure data processing aligns with disclosed practices.
Entity
Bumble, Inc.
Also known as: Bumble
Industry
Social MediaOfficial Press Release
https://www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-bumble-inc-to-pay-civil-penalty-and-change-public-disclosures-to-resolve-allegations-its-internet-dating-services-misrepresented-criminal-background-screening-policies/
2024 0221 Bumble Consent Order BMBL STB 1.31.2024 BMBL DOL D
https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases24/2024-0221_Bumble-Consent-Order-BMBL-STB-1.31.2024-BMBL-DOL-DCA-Executed.pdf
New Jersey Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-consumer-affairs/
"Bumble, Inc."
"$315,000"
"New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (“CFA”)"
"Internet Dating Safety Act (“IDSA”)"
"Division regulations related to internet dating services"
"misrepresenting or failing to disclose its criminal background screening policies"
$18.0M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations from a 2023 data breach that compromised genetic data of 6.9 million people worldwide, including nearly 150,000 in New Jersey. The settlement provides $18 million to states from available bankruptcy funds, plus enhanced data security and consumer deletion rights for the successor entity, 23andMe Research Institute.
$45.0M
Block, Inc. agreed to a $45 million multistate settlement with 46 states for allegedly misleading consumers about the safety of Cash App, failing to protect users from fraud, and not providing promised fraud protection. The settlement requires Block to improve customer support, stop misleading claims, and educate consumers about fraud.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 49 attorneys general in calling on the FCC to strengthen rules to cut off scammers' access to legitimate telephone numbers. The coalition's letter requests stronger certification rules, regular reporting, and prohibitions on number cycling to combat illegal robocalls.
Governor Sherrill and Attorney General Davenport announced coordinated executive actions to reduce and eliminate junk fees in New Jersey. The initiative includes an Executive Order directing state agencies to review industries for junk fees and an Enforcement Statement from the Division of Consumer Affairs explaining how junk fee practices may violate the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
The New Jersey Bureau of Securities announced its 2026 annual investment adviser examination, with a particular focus on firms' use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity protocols. The examination requires nearly 800 registered investment adviser firms to answer questions about AI use in portfolio management, data protection policies, and third-party vendor due diligence. Failure to comply may result in administrative action.
The New Jersey Bureau of Securities filed a lawsuit against Xiao Hu (aka Mark Hu) and his companies Skyline Technology USA LLC and Thunderbirds.ME, Inc. for allegedly defrauding at least 15 investors out of $2.5 million through unregistered securities offerings. Hu allegedly misappropriated at least $280,000 for personal expenses including a home purchase and vacation, and falsely claimed to have a Ph.D. from Columbia University.