The Emergence of the Dating App: Its Journey to Existence
In the realm of tech entrepreneurship, Whitney Wolfe Herd has made a significant impact, particularly with her role in the development and launch of Tinder and the subsequent founding of Bumble. However, the film 'Swiped,' directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, presents her story in a feel-good, Hollywood-clichéd manner, which has raised questions about its credibility.
The film, set for streaming on Disney+ from September 19, is based solely on extensive media coverage from the time. It follows Whitney, played by British actress Lily James, as she sneaks into a Los Angeles party for startup entrepreneurs and meets the attractive Sean, who offers her a job the next day. One of the projects at Sean's company is a dating app, a nod to the real-life Tinder.
Whitney's journey in the film mirrors her real-life experiences, including open sexism, bullying, and abuse of power that she faced in the tech industry, particularly at Tinder. This aspect of her story made headlines in 2014 when she sued the company, leading to an out-of-court settlement and a confidentiality agreement that prevented her from participating in the making of 'Swiped.'
Despite the film's portrayal, James finds Whitney's story with Bumble inspiring and motivating. The actress believes that the predominantly female production team was crucial for the film's portrayal of Whitney's story.
It's important to note that the person whose life the film is based on was not officially involved in its production. 'Swiped' refers to the Tinder-established feature of swiping user profiles left or right with your finger, a nod to the digital dating revolution that Whitney helped initiate.
Whitney's tech entrepreneur journey did not end with Tinder. After leaving the company, she went on to found Bumble, a platform where only women can make the first move. This groundbreaking concept has made Bumble a success, and Whitney a trailblazer in the tech industry.
While 'Swiped' may not be a factually accurate portrayal of Whitney's life, it offers a glimpse into the world of tech entrepreneurship and the challenges women face in this male-dominated industry. The film serves as a reminder of Whitney's resilience and determination to create change, making it a genuinely interesting watch for audiences.
