Badoo

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Badoo was founded by Andrey Andreev and launched in London in November 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.finamcapital.com/badoo.html |title=Project Portfolio – Badoo |publisher=Finam Capital |year=2009 |access-date=2011-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228005937/http://www.finamcapital.com/badoo.html |archive-date=2011-02-28 }} It has since ranked among the most popular dating websites.{{cite web|url=http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/dating-websites|title=Top 15 Most Popular Dating Websites|date=September 2015|publisher=eBizMBA|access-date=September 28, 2015}}

In 2007, Badoo raised $30 million in funding.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/badoo-social-experiment-or-hookup-site/|title=Badoo: Social experiment or hookup site?|last=Needleman|first=Rafe|date=February 23, 2012|access-date=May 29, 2014|publisher=CNET}} In January 2008, Finam Capital paid $30 million for a 10% stake in Badoo for expansion in Russia.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/uks-badoo-pulls-30m-for-russian-launch-ahead-of-a-home-push/|title=UK's Badoo pulls $30m for Russian launch, ahead of a home push|last=Butcher|first=Mike |date=21 January 2008 |publisher=Techcrunch|access-date=2009-08-29}} Badoo also reached 13 million users in 2008.{{cite news |title=Elevator Pitch: Why Badoo wants to be the next word in social networking |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2008/mar/05/elevatorpitchwhybadoowants |publisher=The Guardian}}

The official launch of Badoo in the U.S. was on March 23, 2012, with Nick Cannon introducing the service in the United States.

In 2014, Badoo’s CEO Andrey Andreev contacted Bumble’s Whitney Wolfe Herd to form a partnership: Andreev received 79% ownership in the company for an initial investment of $10 million, along with additional investments; Wolfe Herd served as founder, CEO, and 20% owner.{{cite web |title=Report: Ousted Tinder Cofounder Settled Her Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against The Company For 'Just Over $1 Million' |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-wolfe-settles-sexual-harassment-tinder-lawsuit-1-million-2014-11 |work=Business Insider |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213095913/https://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-wolfe-settles-sexual-harassment-tinder-lawsuit-1-million-2014-11 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=What It's Like To Found A $750 Million Startup, Go Through A Sexual-Harassment Lawsuit, And Start All Over By Age 25 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-co-founder-whitney-wolfe-and-bumble-2015-1 |work=Business Insider |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213133618/https://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-co-founder-whitney-wolfe-and-bumble-2015-1 |url-status=live }} As part of the agreement, the new company would also utilize Badoo's infrastructure and Andreev's consulting.{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Billion-Dollar Bumble: How Whitney Wolfe Herd Built America's Fastest-Growing Dating App |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213170803/https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2017 |website=Forbes}} Wolfe Herd said the partnership was key due to Andreev's "knowledge and infrastructure".

In 2016, Badoo was the most downloaded dating app in 21 countries.

In April 2017, Badoo launched a newly redesigned app and brand, as well as the tagline "Bigger than Dating". Andreev discussed this redesign in an interview with Business Insider{{'s}} James Cook in the same month.

Andreev created Magic Lab in 2019 as the parent company of both Bumble and Badoo. In November 2019, Andreev sold his majority stake in Bumble and Badoo to Blackstone Inc. in a deal that valued the companies at $3 billion.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/11/11/russian-billionaire-sells-dating-app-empire-3bln-deal-a68120|title=Russian Billionaire Sells Dating App Empire in $3Bln Deal|website=Moscow Times|date=November 11, 2019|author=Adrien Henni|access-date=April 26, 2025}}

In 2020, Bumble Inc. replaced MagicLab as Badoo’s parent company, with Badoo becoming a subsidiary product.{{cite web|url=https://www.techmonitor.ai/what-is/what-is-badoo-4996045/?cf-view|title=What is Badoo?|website=Tech Monitor|date=September 6, 2023|access-date=April 26, 2025}}

Badoo launched its “Let’s Fix Dating” global marketing campaign in 2022.{{cite news |title=Badoo launches comical “Let’s Fix Dating” campaign by Untold Fable |url=https://mediashotz.co.uk/badoo-launches-comical-lets-fix-dating-campaign-by-untold-fable/}}

Badoo has several features that enable users to meet people. When first signing up, individuals select whether they want to “match” with new people in order to date, chat or make new friends. Users can chat via in-app messaging,{{Cite web|url=https://team.badoo.com/new/|title=New look|website=team.badoo.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}} upload photos and videos, as well as share their interests to find any friends in common.{{Cite news|date=19 September 2011|title=A nightclub on your smartphone|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/09/social-networking|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921014702/https://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/09/social-networking|archive-date=21 September 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/badoo-launches-new-friends-friends-tool/|title=Badoo Launches New ‘Friends of Friends’ Tool|website=GDI|date=April 6, 2018|author=Chloe Gay|access-date=February 18, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/badoo-video-feature-online-dating-app/|title=Photos in dating apps not doing it for you? Badoo is adding video, too|website=Digital Trends|date=April 21, 2022|author=Lulu Chang|access-date=February 18, 2025}}

The main features include:

• Discover: Users can see and contact people who live in their area, as well as their location
• Encounters: Another free feature, where users swipe right (yes) or left (no) on other users' profiles based on search criteria (i.e. distance, age, interests). Users are able add their personal interests on their own profile and can search for compatible matches using advanced search filters, such as dating intentions. Users can add a “mood” to their profile and also see other users’ moods{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/badoo-2011-2#once-weve-signed-up-for-an-account-theres-a-bunch-of-new-stuff-we-can-do-one-fun-feature-is-encounters-a-sort-of-hot-or-not-game-4|title=The Biggest Startup You've Never Heard Of Is About To Hit 108 Million Members|last=Frommer|first=Dan|website=Business Insider}}{{cite web|url=https://justinabailey.com/Badoo-Moods-Launch|title=Badoo 'Moods' Launch|website=Justin Bailey|access-date=February 18, 2025}}
• In-App Video Chat and Calls: In August 2017, Badoo launched its video chat function that allows users to connect real-time, once they've exchanged messages{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/video-dating-app-badoo-could-help-you-to-filter-out-misleading-singletons-a3623971.html|title=Video dating app Badoo could help you to filter out misleading singles|work=Evening Standard|access-date=2017-10-18|language=en-GB}}

Safety features include:

• Photo Verification: The company has also developed a photo verification process, where users upload a photo of themselves mimicking a specific pose.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alextaub/2016/04/04/badoos-selfie-verification-is-a-unique-way-of-solving-the-catfishing-problem/#71e56ce724c5|title=Badoo's Selfie Verification Is A Unique Way Of Solving The Catfishing Problem|last=Taub|first=Alexander|work=Forbes|access-date=2017-03-27}}
• Selfie Request: A feature used to ensure users are real and verified. Such features include the 'selfie request' button,{{Cite news|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/news/a44585/badoo-dating-app-prevents-catfishing-fake-profiles/|title=This dating app has a genius way of preventing catfishing|date=2016-07-11|work=Cosmopolitan|access-date=2017-03-27|language=en}} through which women can request a man they're speaking to send a 'selfie' to prove they are the same person as in the pictures. This 'selfie request' feature is only available to female account holders; it is unavailable to male Badoo users{{cite web |title=How to Request a Selfie in Badoo |url=https://social.techjunkie.com/request-selfie-badoo/ |website=TechJunkie |date=3 November 2019 |publisher=BOX 20 |access-date=1 September 2023}}
• Private Detector: Launched in 2020, this features uses AI to identify potentially offending photos, automatically blurring them and providing a user warning for “inappropriate content”{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/25/tired-being-deluged-with-unsolicited-nudes-bumble-says-private-detector-will-protect-you/|title=Bumble’s new ‘Private Detector’ protects users from rude, lewd and nude photos|website=Washington Post|author=Taylor Telford|access-date=February 18, 2025}}
• Message Detector: ‘Rude Message Detector’ automatically flags any discriminatory or overtly sexual messages. This features uses machine learning AI to distinguish between “banter” and verbal abuse{{cite web|url=https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/badoo-censors-harmful-content-with-new-rude-message-detector/|title=Badoo Censors Harmful Content With New ‘Rude Message Detector’|website=GDI|date=October 13, 2021|author=Dominic Whitlock|access-date=February 18, 2025}}
• Screenshot Block: In 2021, Badoo released its Screenshot Block feature, intended to discourage sharing private information and photos without permission. Android users could no longer take screenshots of the app, whereas iOS users got a warning message{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dating-app-badoo-banned-users-from-taking-screenshots-messages-photos-2021-6|title=A dating app has banned users from taking screenshots to keep messages private|website=Business Insider|date=June 30, 2021|author=Andrea Michelson |access-date=February 18, 2025}}
• Deception Detector: In 2024, Deception Detector was added to identify spam and fake profiles using AI. The machine learning model is capable of blocking 95% scam accounts automatically{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/safer-internet-day-2024-bumble-inc-launches-deception-detector-for-scam-free-online-dating-18989851.htm|title=Bumble Inc launches Deception Detector for scam-free online dating|website=CNBC|date=February 6, 2024|author=Pihu Yadav|access-date=February 18, 2025}}

Badoo is a freemium service, where the basic service is free for everyone but users have an option to pay for premium features. Such features include, ‘Rise Up’, which allows users to place their profile at the top of search results for matches in their respective area.{{cite magazine|last=Rowan|first=David|title=How Badoo built a billion-pound social network... on sex|magazine=Wired UK|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/05/features/sexual-network/viewall|access-date=31 October 2013}} Users can also pay to have their profile photo more widely visible across the site.

In a peer-reviewed study by Cambridge University in 2009,{{Citation|last1=Bonneau|first1=Joseph|last2=Preibusch|first2=Sören | title=The Privacy Jungle: On the Market for Privacy in Social Networks|journal=WEIS '09: Proceedings of the Eighth Workshop on the Economics of Information Security.|year=2009|url=http://www.jbonneau.com/doc/BP09-WEIS-privacy_jungle.pdf}} it was given the lowest score for privacy among the 45 social networking sites examined.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/5878857/Social-networks-failing-users-says-study.html Social networks ‘failing users’] The Daily Telegraph 21 Jul 2009.

In 2011, The Economist dubbed Badoo “a nightclub on your smartphone” and Wired described Badoo as a "mass phenomenon" in Brazil, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy. That same year, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported that numerous Badoo profiles were created without people's consent,{{cite news |url=http://www.iltalehti.fi/digi/2011012113041159_du.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123184343/http://www.iltalehti.fi/digi/2011012113041159_du.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2011 |title=Treffipalvelu varastaa profiilitiedot: Varo tätä sovellusta Facebookissa |newspaper=Iltalehti |language=fi |date=21 January 2011 |access-date=2011-01-25 }} and Badoo was asked to adjust its approach after going viral on Facebook through popular social games and quizzes.{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/badoo-facebook-2011-4?IR=T|title=Huge Facebook App Loses 75% Uniques After Facebook Threatens It|work=Business Insider|access-date=2017-03-27|language=en}}

A 2012 CNET review by Rafe Needleman noted that, while the site was advertised as a way to meet local friends with shared interests, it was more like a photo-based dating site. He also said the way it matches users was "obscure".

According to Google's transparency report on the requests for search removals stemming from the "right to be forgotten" ruling, Badoo had the eighth-highest number of URLs removed from Google Search in 2014, with Facebook, YouTube, Google Groups and Twitter receiving a higher number of these requests.{{Cite web |date=17 October 2014 |title=European privacy requests for search removals |url=https://www.google.com/transparencyreport/removals/europeprivacy/?hl=en |access-date=17 October 2014 |website=Transparency Report }}

In 2018, Badoo was the subject of a Forbes investigative report, finding that thirteen Badoo employees reported a culture of workplace afterparties involving use of recreational drugs and prostitutes, along with several instances of sexual assault and harassment.{{Cite news |last=Au-Yeung |first=Angel |title=The Russian Billionaire Cupid Behind The Biggest Dating App in the World |language=en |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2018/03/12/russian-billionaire-cupid-andrey-andreev-most-popular-dating-app-badoo/#12b6daa47800 |access-date=27 May 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2019/07/08/exclusive-investigation-sex-drugs-misogyny-and-sleaze-at-the-hq-of-bumbles-owner/|title=Exclusive Investigation: Sex, Drugs, Misogyny And Sleaze At The HQ Of Bumble's Owner|work=Forbes|last=Au-Yeung|first=Angel|date=July 8, 2019|accessdate=March 17, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.inc.com/cameron-albert-deitch/badoo-bumble-toxic-workplace-sexism-allegations.html|title=Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Bumble's Majority Investor Threaten to Throttle the Company's Pro-Woman Cred|work=Inc.|last=Albert-Deitch|first=Cameron|date=9 July 2019|accessdate=17 March 2024}} Consequently, MagicLab hired Doyle Clayton, an employment law firm, to internally investigate these allegations. Following a six-month investigation, MagicLab announced that it would reform its workplace policies to “enforce appropriate employee conduct”, “make it easier for whistleblowers to report misconduct”, and improve diversity and inclusion training.{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2020/01/30/magiclab-bumble-sexism-allegations-workplace-reforms/|title=Bumble parent told to implement workplace reforms after sexism allegations|website=Fortune|date=January 30, 2020|author=Jeremy Kahn|access-date=April 27, 2025}}

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