Aussies going online in the hopes of finding love, or at least a date, will now be protected by new rules designed to protect online daters from harm and abuse.
The Australia-first guidelines will require online dating platforms, including Tinder, Hinge, Bumble and Grindr, to have systems in place to detect potential incidents of online-enabled harm from taking place.
The code will also require dating apps to take actions against users who have violated a company’s online safety policies, provide prominent and transparent complaint and reporting mechanisms, offer more support resources on safe dating practices and online enabled harm, and remain proactively engaged with Australian law enforcement.
The dating platforms will also be required to supply regular transparency reports detailing the number of Australian accounts terminated and content moderation processes.
The code comes after the Federal Government sat down with both online dating platforms, including Bumble, Grindr, and Match Group – which owns the platforms, Tinder, Hinge, OKCupid and Plenty Of Fish.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland said the code, which has been given the tick of approval from the eSafety Commissioner, will offer online dating users better peace of mind knowing they’re safer online.
“Online dating is now the most common way to meet a partner in Australia, however the level of violence and abuse experienced by users of these platforms is deeply concerning,” Ms Rowland said.
“That is why we are taking the steps needed to ensure a safer experience for Australians using online dating platforms.
“The Australian Government’s constructive engagement with industry means that the largest online dating services operating in Australia have made clear, public commitments to improve the safety of their services – including to crack down on abuse and remove dangerous users from platforms.
“Now that the code is operational, the Government will be watching industry closely to ensure they take the steps needed to keep their users safe.”
Dating platforms will now have six months to implement changes, with strict enforcement to begin from 1 April next year.
Social Services minister Amanda Rishworth said it is essential people feel protected from harm when interacting with potential dates.
“Dating app violence is a form of gender-based violence, and it has to end,” Ms Rishworth said.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring Australians are safe from sexual violence and abuse in both online and physical spaces.
“We must create communities – both in the physical and online world – where everyone is treated equally and with respect.
“This world-leading industry code will improve safety for Australians using dating apps and help them make choices about the apps they use.
“Everyone deserves to live a life free of violence no matter where they are – and this includes online.”
After nine months of operation, the eSafety Commissioner will assess the effectiveness of the code and determine if it has helped reduce harm to Australians.
If the code has seemed to not live up to expectation, the Government will consider whether further action is needed, including regulation.
The dating apps that have signed up to participate in the code are Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Grindr, eHarmony, OK Cupid, Plenty Of Fish, RSVP, MeetMe, Zoosk, Badoo (part of Bumble), Tagged, Skout and Growlr.
