In response to privacy concerns, dating app Bumble ($PRIVATE:BUMBLE) on April 16 announced that it would no longer require its users to login via Facebook. At the time, the announcement was heralded as a win for proponents of being able to swipe in security and privacy.
However, data shows that users don't seem to mind the Facebook login protocol. In fact, Since the April 16 announcement, user ranks on Facebook for Bumble climbed more than they had in months.
“Many of our users and prospective users asked for an alternative registration method,” Bumble VP Louise Troen told Wired. “As always, empowering our users to make connections is our number one priority and we wanted to continue to ensure our users felt safe while doing this.”
At the time of the announcement, the internet community was reeling with concern over the ways that companies collect private data via Facebook apps, including dating apps like Bumble that require users to use the social network in order to sign in. The new, Facebook-free option allows Bumble users to use a phone number to verify that they are real people using the app.
The move made sense especially in Bumble's case as it takes a slightly different spin on the dating app equation, requiring women to make the first move. Users say it adds a level of security and reduces the creep factor, if at least a litttle. Regardless, the data shows that Bumble users are continuing to use the app the original way: via Facebook login.
