Australia’s first online dating industry code aims to protect users from harm, with key safety measures and stricter enforcement to combat abuse on popular platforms.
Australians deserve to feel secure when using dating apps. In response to growing concerns about safety, a new industry code has been developed in collaboration with key players in the online dating industry. This Australia-first rulebook aims 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,” said Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland. This concern has driven action to ensure a safer experience for Australians using these platforms.
Local communities, such as Wyndham City, have also shown a growing interest in the impact of online dating safety, with many focusing on public safety initiatives. As a rapidly growing area with a vibrant online population, Wyndham City recognises the importance of improving the safety of its residents, both online and offline.
Last year, a National Roundtable on Online Dating Safety brought together both smaller and larger industry players, including Match Group (which owns Tinder, Hinge, OKCupid, and Plenty Of Fish), Bumble, and Grindr. The roundtable focused on ways to tackle online-enabled harm and improve user safety.
With input from the eSafety Commissioner, the code has been finalised and is now in place. These dating platforms have six months to implement necessary changes, with enforcement starting on 1 April next year. “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,” added Rowland.
Key requirements for dating apps include:
– Systems to detect and prevent online harm
– Actions against users violating safety policies, such as terminating accounts across all services run by the company
– Easy-to-access complaint and reporting mechanisms
– Regular reports on account terminations and content moderation
– More resources supporting safe dating practices
– Proactive cooperation with Australian police, especially in cases of imminent safety threats
A new rating system will also be introduced to show how well companies are meeting their safety obligations under the code.
After nine months, the eSafety Commissioner will review the code’s effectiveness. If it doesn’t achieve its goals, additional actions, including possible regulation, may be considered. As Rowland highlighted, “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 code was developed through consultations, which included input from representatives of at-risk communities and the National Lived Experience Advisory Council to ensure victim-survivors had a voice in the process.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, also emphasized the importance of the new code, stating, “Dating app violence is a form of gender-based violence, and it has to end. Our Government is committed to ensuring Australians are safe from sexual violence and abuse in both online and physical spaces.”
A Code Oversight Body will be established to manage the code and verify companies’ self-assessments of compliance. An independent Code Compliance Committee, composed of three members of the public with expertise in online safety, law, and social networking technology, will handle enforcement. This could include issuing warnings, requiring compliance plans, or removing companies from the code, preventing them from advertising compliance.
“This world-leading industry code will improve safety for Australians using dating apps and help them make choices about the apps they use,” Rishworth added. “Everyone deserves to live a life free of violence no matter where they are – and this includes online.”
Wyndham City’s involvement in community safety efforts complements these national initiatives, reflecting the need for both local and broader measures to protect Australians in the digital age.
