Safety and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do at Bumble. Bumble is a signatory of the Charter of Commitment by Digital Platforms for the Prevention of Violence and the Safety of LGBT+ Individuals Online, a collective commitment between the French government, digital platforms, and LGBTQ+ organisations to tackle LGBTQphobic ambushes. The Charter is accessible here in French and in English.
What is an LGBTQphobic ambush?
An LGBTQphobic ambush is an organised attack targeting a person because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, real or perceived. While these attacks may also involve robbery or sexual assault, they are always rooted in anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and prejudice. In recent years, attackers have increasingly weaponised online dating spaces — creating fake profiles to lure and trap their victims.
It is important to recall that, in France, physical assaults, threats, theft, harassment, sexual assaults or the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images are punishable by law. And when these acts are committed on the grounds of the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity – whether real or perceived – they are recognised as aggravated offences (Article 132-77 of the Criminal Code). This means that the penalties incurred are more severe
At Bumble, we have zero tolerance for any attacks or expressions of hatred against other members including where such hate is based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Our Community Guidelines take a strong stance to protect our LGBTQ+ communities through our identity-based hate policy.
Support resources for members in France
If you have been the victim of an LGBTQphobic ambush, or have witnessed such behavior, please reach out — to emergency services, one of the organisations below, and once out of danger, we would encourage reporting to us. It is never your fault, and help is available.
1. Immediate help and safety
If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services:
- Ambulance: 15
- Police: 17
- Fire: 18
- Deaf and hard of hearing emergency number (SMS, chat, video and fax): 114
- Telephone 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
2. What to do if you have witnesses or been subject to an attack?
- Seek medical assessment first. Even if you are not ready to press charges, obtaining a medical report in the hours following the incident is important.
- Preserve all evidence. Keep screenshots of messages, clothing worn at the time, and any witness statements.
- Report the incident. You can report to us (see below), and on PHAROS, the French Ministry of the Interior's platform for reporting illegal online content.
3. Report it to Bumble
If you experience or witness LGBTphobic behaviour on Bumble, consider reporting it to us using the in-app reporting tools. If anything happens that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, we highly encourage you to Unmatch with – or Block & Report – the member. See this article for more info on what happens when you report something to Bumble. Our Safety team reviews every report and takes swift action where our Community Guidelines or the law have been violated.
Anyone (i.e. logged-in members, logged-out members or non-members) can submit reports or inquiries via our customer support virtual agent accessible through our Help Center. Reports are reviewed and resolved by Bumble’s content moderation team, or by our automated systems.
4. Support Services and Resources
We know that taking these steps can be incredibly difficult. If you are unsure where to start or need someone to talk to, the organisations below offer free and confidential support.
Support organisations in France
- SOS homophobie
- STOP homophobie
- La Fondation Le Refuge
- France Victimes
- DILCRAH guide for preventing LGBTphobic ambushes
- Bumble Help Center: access to additional helplines and supportive resources
Experiencing harm or abuse can be deeply upsetting. Please be kind to yourself — whether that means seeking professional help, leaning on trusted friends or family, or using the resources above. Bumble is committed to supporting survivors and building a safer online community for everyone.
https://www.dilcrah.gouv.fr/files/2026-03/DILCRAH-Flyer_A5-Guide_de_prevention-v05bdef.pdf