The world’s most popular dating apps have agreed to a new industry code of conduct to keep Australians safer online.
The framework was developed by online dating platforms in response to calls from the Federal Government for the industry to be more regulated.
Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, and Grindr are among those who have formally agreed to the code, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.
Online safety
Earlier this year, the Government announced several proposals to update the 2022 Online Safety Act amid concerns it’s failed to keep up with technology.
Australian Institute of Criminology data shows three in four users experienced sexual violence on dating apps from 2017 to 2022. One in three experienced in-person sexual violence from someone they met online.
Dating app executives met with the Government last year to address safety concerns. These discussions have informed an industry code of conduct.
Dating app code of conduct
Under the code, dating apps will be required to implement safety systems to detect potentially harmful incidents on their platforms.
Operators will be required to take action against users found in violation of safety policies. This could include banning their accounts or escalating complaints to police.
The code will be implemented over the next three months. It comes after the Government threatened to draft its own online safety laws for dating apps, if it wasn’t satisfied with how the industry responded to safety concerns.
Under the code, dating apps will have to publicly disclose how many accounts they have banned due to safety violations.
A new ‘rating system’ will be introduced to give users insight into each platform’s progress in complying with the code.
The code is voluntary, meaning dating apps aren’t legally obliged to adopt implement the measures. However, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said that about 75% of the dating app industry has agreed to adopt the code.
While the code includes steps that could see more users banned from individual apps, it doesn’t mean those users will be automatically blocked from all online dating platforms.
On Friday, Rowland said she was “confident” the industry-developed code would have a “positive impact” on online safety.
She added it would also act as an “important consumer awareness tool” for users choosing a dating app.
Next steps
An independent committee will be established to monitor dating apps. It will have powers to ensure compliance with the code.
The eSafety Commissioner will formally review the code nine months after it comes into operation.
It will provide advice to the Government about potential further actions to ensure online safety as part of its review.
