Australia Pushes for Dating Site User Safety Accountability
Starting today, online dating platforms like Tinder and Hinge will need to comply with Australia’s newly introduced online dating code aimed at addressing harmful behavior and abuse. This code, developed by the federal government, responds to growing concerns over sexual violence facilitated by dating apps, with a 2022 study revealing that 75% of users had experienced such incidents over the previous five years.
The code requires dating platforms to implement safety measures, including systems to detect harmful behaviour, and take action against users who violate safety policies. Companies must also enhance their complaint and reporting mechanisms and work closely with law enforcement to address imminent threats. Platforms will report regularly to the eSafety commissioner on their moderation efforts and account terminations in Australia.
A new rating system will assess how well dating apps adhere to safety obligations, allowing users to make informed decisions about the platforms they use. While the code is voluntary, non-compliance could result in warnings or even removal from the code, with enforcement starting in April 2025.
While this is exclusively a move within Australia, there’s a good chance that these regulations lead to improved reporting and safety features across the board for many apps. Given that it may become mandatory in Australia by 2026, dating platforms have a decent amount of time to experiment – which could hopefully be the push many platforms need to overhaul their safety options as a whole.