Australia’s government has demanded that online dating firms enhance their safety practices by mid-next year or face regulation. This decision comes after research revealed a rise in cases of sexual violence against users of such platforms.
The government made its call on September 18th, urging the industry to develop a voluntary code. This code should include commitments to better engage with law enforcement, support at-risk users, implement stronger safety policies, and provide greater transparency regarding potential harm.
The impetus for this action stems from research conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology. The study, released in October of last year, found that three out of every four individuals using dating apps or websites experienced some form of sexual violence between 2016 and 2021. This violence encompassed sexual harassment, the use of abusive or threatening language, image-based sexual abuse, and stalking.
In a statement, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland expressed concern over the level of violence experienced by users of dating apps in Australia. She emphasized that online dating platforms must play a role in combating violence against women, considering they have become the most common way for people to meet partners in the country.
If the voluntary code fails to substantially improve the safety of online dating service users, the government will pursue legislative alternatives, according to a statement released by Bloomberg.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
