Online dating apps have pledged to escalate safety threats more swiftly to police under a voluntary industry code.
The background: The companies behind Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Grindr, RSVP and eharmony are among those to adopt the code, developed after the 2023 national roundtable on online dating safety.
The companies will increase engagement with law enforcement agencies, including proactively escalating complaints when there is an “imminent threat” to safety.
The key quote: “These services did not develop overnight, and the lack of action over the last decade means that regulation has not kept pace with technology.” — Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
What else to know: The code will involve terminating accounts that violate safety policies, systems to detect harmful incidents, and transparent complaint and reporting mechanisms.
Platforms will also publish regular transparency reports detailing the number of Australian accounts terminated, and a rating system tracking whether they are meeting their commitments.
What happens next: The code will be operationalised over the next three months and be enforced by a three-member committee, who can issue formal warnings and suspend or remove participants.
