Tinder has reversed its decision to ban people using the app to promote the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
Several numbers of users had complained that they had been removed for rallying others to sign petitions and donate, while others complained they been sanctioned for simply adding the movement’s hashtag to their profile.
The dating app’s guidelines state accounts cannot be used for “promotional purposes”.
But banned users can now contact Tinder directly to be reinstated, it says.
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world have been protesting following the death of George Floyd.
And Black Lives Matter supporters have been using social media to raise awareness and funds.
One user tweeted: “Yesterday, I changed my Tinder bio to ‘All Black Lives Matter. If you don’t think so, swipe left [as I would not want to date you],’ and my account was banned.”
While another said: “I added [the hashtag] #BlackLivesMatter to my Tinder bio and the next day my account is banned. Yikes!”
Some users claimed their accounts were banned because they had offered to send naked images of themselves on other platforms to those who donated money to charities related to the Black Lives Matter cause.
A spokesman for the company said, “From time to time, our members use Tinder to engage with topics they care about.
“And while our community guidelines state that we may remove accounts used for promotional purposes, we are dedicated to enforcing our guidelines in line with our values.
“We have voiced our support for the Black Lives Matter movement and want our platform to be a place where our members can do the same.”
Last month, Tinder shared a statement in support of the black community and declared it would be donating an unspecified amount of money to causes related to the movement.
“We will not be silent when we see injustice in the world,” the company said.
