Class action alleges Bumble discrimination against heterosexual women

Bumble discrimination class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Plaintiffs Christine Johnson and Diane Foster filed a class action lawsuit against Bumble Trading LLC.
• Why: Johnson and Foster claim Bumble discriminates against heterosexual women by requiring them to be the initial pursuer when making a match while using the dating app. 
• Where: The Bumble class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court. 

A new Bumble class action alleges the dating app discriminates against heterosexual women by requiring them to initiate conversations with their matches, even if that is not what they want.

Plaintiffs Christine Johnson and Diane Foster’s class action lawsuit claims the dating app forces women in a heterosexual match to to be the initial pursuer, despite allowing either person in a non-heterosexual match to make the initial contact. 

“Defendant unlawfully and intentionally discriminates against heterosexual women by limiting their freedom to choose whether they make the first move, but provides that very same freedom to non-heterosexual women,” the Bumble class action says. 

Johnson and Foster want to represent a nationwide class of heterosexual women who have had to make the initial contact with a male match when using the Bumble app since April 9, 2021. 

Bumble discrimination stems from business model based on generalizations, stereotypes, class action claims 

Johnson and Foster argue Bumble uses a sex- and sexual orientation based business model based on “generalizations and stereotypes about female and male preferences and behavior.” 

“Heterosexual females who actually want men to make the first move when they use Bumble’s services are denied that option, even though that option is given to non-heterosexual females,” the Bumble class action states. 

Johnson and Foster claim Bumble is guilty of negligence and in violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act and a California civil code concerning business discrimination. 

The plaintiffs demand a jury trial and request declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of statutory damages for themselves and all class members. 

A consumer filed a separate class action against Bumble last year over claims it profits off facial scans it unlawfully collects from its users. 

What do you think of the Bumble discrimination allegations in this lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Greg Adler of Greg Adler P.C. 

The Bumble discrimination class action lawsuit is Johnson, et al. v. Bumble Trading LLC, et al., Case No. 5:24-cv-00740, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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