⚠ Data Sensitivity Tier 2: Dating App Data

Dating app data requires heightened privacy protections - it includes sexual orientation, intimate preferences, precise location, private messages, and behavioral patterns. Bumble also operates Badoo with shared infrastructure between platforms. This review focuses exclusively on documented policy language with exact citations.

🏢 Bumble Group Structure

According to the policy: "Bumble Holding Limited, Badoo Trading Limited and Bumble Trading LLC (also known simply as 'Bumble', 'we', 'us', or 'our' in this policy)."

Bumble also operates Badoo, meaning data practices may involve shared infrastructure between platforms.

📊 Data Collection Scope

Registration and Profile Data

Bumble collects extensive personal information during registration:

"Name, Username, Gender identity, Location, Email address, Date, time and location of birth, Photographs, Mobile number, Sexual preference"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Registration Information Section

Location Tracking

Bumble collects location data when you use the mobile app:

"If you give Bumble access to your location in your device settings, we will collect information about your location when you use your mobile device."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Location Data Section

Message Content Scanning

Bumble reviews the content of messages sent through the app:

"We review the content of messages sent in the App to identify topics, sentiments, and trends across our Users."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Message Content Section

Biometric/Facial Recognition Data

For photo verification, Bumble uses facial recognition technology:

"This scan can include the use of facial recognition technology to compare the submitted photo(s) to your profile photo, which helps us make sure you are who you say you are."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Photo Verification Section

Photo Engagement Analysis

Bumble collects data about how other users interact with your photos:

"which photos people spend the most time looking at or which have the best lighting"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Photo Analysis Section

Device and Usage Data

Bumble collects technical information about your device:

"device's unique identifier, model, and operating system, as well as log and usage data"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Device Information Section

Campus/University Location Detection

Bumble can detect if you are on a college campus:

"We do this by using recent location data of where you opened the App to see if your device's coordinates match a general university or college area."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Campus Feature Section

👥 Third-Party Sharing

Marketing Service Providers

Bumble shares data with marketing partners including:

"Advertising identifier associated with your device (Device ID), Estimated location (based on your IP address), Age, Gender, Data about your visit to our Sites or App"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Marketing Partners Section

Facebook Joint Data Controller

Bumble and Facebook are joint data controllers in certain contexts:

"When we share personal information with Facebook in this specific context, such as through the Facebook 'Like' function, we are considered 'Joint Data Controllers' with Facebook Ireland for this data processing."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Facebook Integration Section

Service Providers

Bumble shares data with various service providers:

"Billing services, Authentication services, Social media providers, Customer support services"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Service Providers Section

Law Enforcement Access

Bumble may share data with law enforcement:

"We can save or share any of your personal information discussed in this Policy if we believe in good faith that it is necessary to...follow a law or regulation, binding court order or direction, or lawful request."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Legal Compliance Section

International Data Transfers

Your data is transferred to the US and UK regardless of your location:

"Your personal information will be sent to and used in the US and UK, no matter what country you live in."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - International Transfers Section

🕐 Data Retention

Photo Verification Scan Retention

Facial recognition scans from photo verification are retained for up to 3 years:

"We will only keep the scans as long as we need them for these purposes, but never longer than 3 years after your last interaction with us."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Photo Verification Retention Section

Customer Support Records - 6 Years

Bumble retains customer support communications for 6 years after account deletion:

"We keep records of our communications with you for 6 years after your account is deleted, including any complaints."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Data Retention Section

Inactive Account Deletion - 4 Years

Bumble may begin deleting data after 4 years of inactivity:

"We will also begin the process of deleting your personal information if you are no longer actively using your account, i.e. after 4 years of no activity."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Account Inactivity Section

Account Restoration Window

After deletion, accounts can be restored within 28 days:

"If you delete your account, we make sure it is no longer viewable on the App...restore your account for up to 28 days after deleting."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Account Deletion Section

Persistent Public Data

Profile data may persist even after deletion if shared by others:

"Even after you remove information from your profile or delete your account, copies of that information may still be viewable or accessible if it was previously shared, copied, or stored with or by others."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Data Persistence Section

☑ User Control and Consent

User Rights Available

Bumble states users have the following rights:

"Right to access, Right to rectify, Right to data portability, Right to erase, Right to restrict or object"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Your Rights Section

Consent Withdrawal

Users can withdraw consent when consent is the legal basis:

"If the legal basis is consent, you can withdraw your consent at any time"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Consent Section

Updating Your Data

Users can update their information through account settings:

"After you register, you can change this information at any time through your account."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Profile Management Section

Automated Decision Rights

Users have rights regarding automated decisions:

"Your right not to be affected by automatic decisions made without any human involvement, especially if those decisions have significant or legal effects on you."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Automated Decision-Making Section

🔒 Security Measures

Security Statement

Bumble's statement on security measures:

"Here at Bumble, we pride ourselves on taking all appropriate and reasonable security measures to: help protect your information against loss, misuse, and unauthorised access or sharing"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Security Section

Server Security

Bumble uses secured servers:

"Protect the confidentiality of your personal information, such as by using secured servers with firewalls."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Security Infrastructure Section

Automated Fraud Prevention

Bumble uses automated systems to prevent fraud:

"We may automatically block any transaction that is likely to be fraudulent and meets the relevant criteria suggesting a violation."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Fraud Prevention Section

🌎 GDPR/CCPA Compliance

GDPR Data Controller Status

Bumble identifies itself as the data controller under GDPR:

"we are the data 'controller' for all personal information collected and processed through our App and Sites"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - GDPR Section

Legal Basis Framework

Bumble uses multiple legal bases for processing:

"Contractual Necessity, Our legitimate interests, Consent, Your consent for special category/sensitive personal information"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - Legal Basis Section

California Consumer Rights

Bumble acknowledges CCPA rights for California residents:

"In addition to the rights we just described, people living in California have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act."
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - California Rights Section

International Transfer Mechanisms

Bumble uses EU-approved mechanisms for international transfers:

"valid, legal mechanisms are in place, such as the EU approved model clauses"
Source: Bumble Privacy Policy - International Transfers Section

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