Popular online dating companies to abide by new Australian online rules to improve online safety

Several online dating companies have agreed to comply with new Australian online safety codes to increase online safety for its domestic users.

The regulations were announced on July 5 and working groups consisting of Match Group, Bumble, Grindr, Spark Networks, RSVP, and the ParshipMeet Group have voluntarily signed up following a request from the federal government.

This means users could face being banned across all platforms owned by these companies and more measures will be used to find harmful content online. 

Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services, said: “Dating app violence is a form of gender-based violence, and it has to end. 

“Our Albanese Labor 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 virtual 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”.

Policies under the new plan will start over the next three months and be reassessed after nine months. 

This comes after a study from the Australian Institute of Criminology reported 72.3 per cent of dating app users had been subjected to online sexual violence over the previous five years.

Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications, said: “Online dating is now the most common way to meet a partner in Australia. These services did not develop overnight, and the lack of action over the last decade means that regulation has not kept pace with technology.

“This new industry code is an Australian-first for the online dating sector. 

“The Albanese 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 de-platform dangerous users.”