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They developed a first-of-its-kind rulebook in Australia to protect users from harm and abuse.
“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,” commented Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP in a media release.
“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.”
The Government has made reducing online harms a major focus–bringing together an Australian-first National Roundtable on Online Dating Safety last year. The Roundtable included both smaller and larger players including Match Group (which owns the platforms, Tinder, Hinge, OKCupid and Plenty Of Fish), Bumble, and Grindr
The eSafety Commissioner has advised Government that the code is fit for purpose, and the code is now operational. These companies have six months to implement changes, with strict enforcement to begin from 1 April next year.
The code requires dating apps to have:
A new rating system will also highlight to users and the broader community how well they are meeting their obligations under the code.
“Dating app violence is a form of gender-based violence, and it has to end,” said Minister for Social Services the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP.
“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.”
Read also: Balancing social media access and cybersafety for youth
“This world-leading industry code will improve safety for Australians using dating apps and help them make choices about the apps they use,” she added.
“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. If the code has not been effective in reducing harms to Australians, Government will consider whether further action is needed, including regulation.
Consultation ahead of the code’s commencement included opportunities for representatives of at-risk communities to comment on the draft code, as well as a briefing with the National Lived Experience Advisory Council, to ensure victim-survivors could contribute to its development.
A new Code Oversight Body will be formed to administer the Code, including verifying services’ self-assessed levels of compliance.
Enforcement of the code will be the responsibility of an independent Code Compliance Committee made up of three members of the public – one person with experience relating to online safety, sexual or gender-based violence or public policy, one person admitted to practice as a solicitor, and one with experience in social networking technology platforms.
Enforcement could include issuing formal warnings, ordering a participant to develop a plan to meet its obligations under the code, suspension or formal removal from the code, which would prohibit the use of any accreditation or reference to compliance with the code.
Dating apps that will be part of the code are Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Grindr, eHarmony, OK Cupid, Plenty Of Fish, RSVP, MeetMe, Zoosk, Badoo (part of Bumble), Tagged, Skout and Growlr.
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.
