Dating Apps Join Forces To Keep You Safer
Dating apps are stepping up their game in user protection, as reported by SBS News. The companies behind popular platforms like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble have agreed to follow a new online safety code. This move aims to create a safer digital dating environment.
Safety First, Romance Second
The new code, developed after the 2023 national roundtable on online dating safety, focuses on swift action when users are at risk. Dating apps will now work more closely with law enforcement agencies. They’ll quickly report cases where there’s an immediate threat to a user’s safety.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland pointed out, “These services didn’t pop up overnight. The slow response over the past ten years means rules haven’t kept up with tech changes.”
Keeping Bad Apples Out of the Basket
Under the new code, dating apps will:
- Shut down accounts that break safety rules
- Use systems to spot harmful incidents
- Make it easy for users to report problems
They’ll also publish regular reports. These will show how many Australian accounts they’ve closed and how well they’re meeting their safety promises.
Trust, but Verify
A three-member committee will oversee the code. They can give formal warnings and even kick out apps that don’t follow the rules. The apps have three months to put these new measures in place.
This move is a big step towards making online dating safer. It shows that dating apps are taking user safety seriously. For those looking for love online, it’s a welcome change.
