TECH CRUNCH – Bumble is laying off 30% of its workforce (~240 jobs) as part of a restructuring plan to focus on product and technology. The company expects to save $40M annually and reinvest most of it into development. It will incur $13-$18M in severance-related costs in Q3 and Q4 2025. This is Bumble's second major layoff in two years – the last was in February 2024, cutting 350 jobs. Despite weak Q1 earnings, the company raised its Q2 revenue forecast and saw its stock rise 20% after the layoff announcement. Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd returned as CEO in March 2025. Match has also laid off staff amid slowing user growth.
Category: Outlets – Tech Crunch
Tinder Launches Double Date Feature to Boost Engagement
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder has introduced a new Double Date feature that lets users team up with friends to match and chat with other pairs. The move aims to reduce dating anxiety and appeal to Gen Z amid falling user engagement and a 5% drop in paid subscribers. Early tests showed higher messaging rates and strong interest from new and returning users. The feature, tested in select regions, will roll out globally in July.
Hinge Bets on Slow Dating and Real-World Connection as Gen Z Turns Away From Swiping Apps
TECH CRUNCH – Hinge CMO Jackie Jantos spoke at SXSW London about the app's focus on reducing loneliness among Gen Z by encouraging more intentional dating and in-person connection. Hinge has seen growth in revenue and downloads, outperforming Tinder in Q1 2025. The platform is testing features like chat limits, profile coaching, and Warm Introductions to improve match quality. A new AI recommender launched in March has increased matches by 15%. Hinge also launched the $1M One More Hour fund to support Gen Z social initiatives and continues to run campaigns and events that promote real-world connection.
Tinder Tests Height Preference Feature for Paid Users in Global Rollout
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is testing a new height preference setting for Gold and Premium users. The feature, now in global testing, lets subscribers indicate their preferred partner height. It doesn't filter out profiles but helps shape recommendations. According to Tinder, this test supports their goal of more intentional matches and user-focused development.
LoveJack: New Dating App Limits Profiles to Five Words and Cuts Ghosting
TECH CRUNCH – LoveJack is a new dating app launching next month on iOS in London. Users describe themselves using five words instead of full profiles. To interact, they can either "Bet On" someone by sending a five-word message or "Hold" a profile for later, with a five-match daily limit. Users set a preset goodbye message that's automatically sent when unmatching, to reduce ghosting. Profiles use fake names, but selfie verification is required. Safety features include reporting, blocking, content filtering, and emergency contact options. The app is launching in the USA and India soon.
Dating App Raw Exposed Users’ Location Data and Personal Information
TECH CRUNCH – Dating app Raw exposed users' personal data and precise location information due to a security flaw. The app leaked names, birthdates, preferences, and GPS data through a public server lacking proper authentication. The app did not use end-to-end encryption as claimed. Raw fixed the bug after being contacted, but has not notified affected users or undergone a third-party security audit. The vulnerability was due to an insecure direct object reference (IDOR), a known and easily exploitable bug.
Tinder to Use Biometric ID Verification From World in Japan
TECH CRUNCH – World, a biometric ID company known for its eyeball-scanning Orb devices, is partnering with Match Group to verify Tinder users in Japan. Users will confirm their identity through World's system, which creates digital IDs based on biometric data.
Tinder Launches AI Game to Help You Practice Flirting
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder has introduced a new AI-powered game called The Game Game where users can practice flirting by talking to virtual characters. They’ll respond to fun, fake dating scenarios using their voice, and the AI will score their flirting skills and give tips to improve. The game is meant to be fun and light, not serious, and is available for a limited time to iPhone users in the U.S. It’s part of Tinder’s push to add more AI features as it looks for new ways to attract users.
Bumble Introduces ID Verification and Safety Feature
TECH CRUNCH – Bumble has introduced ID verification to boost user safety, allowing daters to authenticate their identity with a government-issued ID and earn a profile badge. Users can now filter matches based on verification status and request verification from potential dates. The feature is live in multiple countries, including the U.S., U.K., and India, with plans for further expansion. Alongside this, Bumble launched “Share Date” for users to share date details with friends, “Review Before You Send” to flag inappropriate messages before sending, and a new “Discover” page to match users by interests. The updates come as Bumble faces declining revenue and rising concerns over AI-generated fake profiles and romance scams.
Bumble Sunsets Acquired Apps, Fruitz and Official, to Cut Costs
TECH CRUNCH – Bumble is discontinuing its two acquired apps, the dating and relationship apps Fruitz and Official. The move was shared during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call. As explained by CEO Lidiane Jones during the call, the choice to discontinue Fruitz, a French dating app, and Official, an app designed to help couples strengthen their relationships, allows the company to focus on its core businesses, Bumble and Badoo.