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| Australia adopts code for dating apps to keep Tinder, Bumble, Grindr users safer |
The code comes after discovering that three-quarters of Australians using apps have faced some form of sexual violence.
A new code of conduct be enforced on the online dating industry to better protect Australian users. This follows research that revealed three-in-four people endure sexual violence on these platforms, Australia’s government said Tuesday.
Bumble, Grindr & Match Group Inc., which is a Texas-based company owning apps like Tinder, Hinge, OKCupid & Plenty of Fish, agreed to the code. It started Tuesday, as stated by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
These platforms, covering 75% of the industry in Australia, must implement changes by April 1. After this date, strict enforcement will follow, Rowland mentioned.
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The new rules ask platforms to catch possible incidents of online harm and ensure accounts of offenders are terminated.
Prominent and clear complaint and reporting systems need to be established. Also, a new rating system will show users how well platforms meet their duties under the code.
The call for a code came last year after Australian Institute of Criminology research found that three-out-of-four dating app users faced some sexual violence between 2016 & 2021.
“There needs to be a complaint-handling process. This is something Australians would’ve thought should already be there,” Rowland told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Tuesday.
“If there is a reason to ban someone from one platform, they’ll be banned on all platforms,” she added.
Bumble said it shares the government’s wish to end gender-based violence and appreciates working with authorities on what’s called a “world-first dating code.”
“We know domestic & sexual violence is massive in Australia. Women, LGBTQ members & First Nations are most at risk,” Bumble’s statement said.
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“Bumble puts women’s experiences at the heart of our goal for healthy and fair relationships. Safety has been vital from day one,” Bumble added.
Other platforms that signed up for the code didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment Tuesday. All participated in designing the code.
Platforms not signing include Happn, Coffee Meets Bagel & Feeld.
The government believes this code will help Australians make smarter choices about which dating apps provide a safe experience.
They also warned that they’ll create laws if operators fail to safeguard Australians on their platforms.
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