What's happened
Australia has implemented a new code of conduct for online dating platforms to enhance user safety, following research indicating that three-in-four users have experienced sexual violence through these services. Major platforms like Bumble and Tinder have agreed to comply by April 1, 2025.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Rod McGuirk from The Independent, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the need for a complaint-handling process, stating, "This is a pretty basic feature that Australians would have expected in the first place." The South China Morning Post noted that the platforms involved account for 75% of the Australian dating industry, underscoring the significance of their compliance. Bumble's statement reflects a proactive stance, asserting, "We know that domestic and sexual violence is an enormous problem in Australia." This highlights a growing recognition of the need for safer online environments.
How we got here
The Australian government initiated the code of conduct after a 2021 study by the Australian Institute of Criminology revealed high rates of sexual violence among dating app users. The code aims to address these issues and improve safety measures.
More on these topics
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Michelle Anne Rowland is an Australian politician. She is a member of the Australian Labor Party and has represented the Division of Greenway in the House of Representatives since 2010. She has been a member of the shadow ministry since 2013.
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Grindr is a location-based social networking and online dating application for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. It was one of the first geosocial apps for gay men when it launched in March 2009 and has since become the largest and most popular gay mobile
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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Match Group, Inc. is an Internet company headquartered in Dallas that owns and operates several online dating services including Tinder, Match.com, Meetic, OkCupid, Hinge, PlentyOfFish, and OurTime.
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The Australian Institute of Criminology is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and criminal justice. The Institute seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research to inform policy