Two dating apps based in the US are looking to help Texans access abortion services.
Both Bumble and Match have pledged to help women affected by the hugely controversial and regressive new laws, which have sparked worldwide outrage.
Bumble, which is based in Austin, Texas, announced earlier this week that it is launching a fund to support people looking to have a termination.
The app, which was founded by Whitney Wolfe in 2014 as an alternative to Tinder, called the rules “regressive” in a statement on Twitter from its official account.
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“Starting today, Bumble has created a relief fund supporting the reproductive rights of women and people across the gender spectrum who seek abortions in Texas,” the statement read.
“Bumble is women-founded and women-led, and from day one we’ve stood up for the most vulnerable. We'll keep fighting against regressive laws like #SB8.”
Bumble differs from other dating apps, as it only permits women to message first in heterosexual matches. It also has a time-limit functions, which means matches delete themselves if no interaction is taken.
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Meanwhile, Match Group, which is based in Dallas, has told employees that they will fund abortion procedures for workers affected by the new legislation.
In an email to staff, CEO Shar Dubey said the company will cover costs for workers and dependents who need to travel outside the state to have an abortion.
“I immigrated to America from India over 25 years ago … I am shocked that I now live in a state where women’s reproductive laws are more regressive than most of the world, including India,” Dubey wrote. “Surely everyone should see the danger of this highly punitive and unfair law... I would hate for our state to take this big step back in women’s rights.”
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The law bans abortions in Texas if “foetal heartbeat” has been detected, which is typically around six weeks – often far before the point a woman is even aware she is pregnant.
The new legislation allows citizens who suspect someone is having an abortion, or aiding someone to have an abortion, to sue the alleged person in court for up to $10,000 (around £7,226).
It is thought that with the new law, around 85 per cent of abortions that take place in Texas would be illegal.
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