BUSINESS WIRE– Jan 14 — eHarmony released a new online ID
verification service in partnership with RelyID, a leading provider of
age and identity verification services. Using publicly available
information, RelyID validates a user’s first and last name, age, and
address. Once verified, a user’s profile features a RelyID badge, which
shows that their personal information has been verified. FULL ARTICLE @ BUSINESS WIRE
I am happy to see that one of the larger sites like eHarmony is validating the importance of identity verification. I have been told by many dating sites that polls they have taken from amongst their users show background checks and identity verification are two of the most highly requested features. Certainly, eHarmony’s actions, and the commitments other industry players have made with Honesty Online, indicate the industry is taking consumer demand seriously. I think this is an important initial step for the industry.
I expect that implementation of identity verification and background check products will be occurring more rapidly in the coming year. In support, Honesty Online will be going live with numerous client sites in the near future. I also expect that as the industry educates itself further on what is available and as the consumer refines its expectation, the identity verification products offered by dating sites will become more sophisticated and background screening products will be added. For example, eHarmony’s current verification process can be easily circumvented – if you know where a person has lived and their phone numbers, you should be able to pass their test and use someone else’s identity. At Honesty Online we are certainly seeing this evolution as a majority of our clients will be utilizing our criminal and sex offender search in addition to our identity verification product. Despite eHarmony’s identity verification product’s shortcomings, this is definitely a great first step and is even more significant in light of the new legislation passed in New Jersey. It is important for the industry to demonstrate a commitment and an ability to self-police so that legislation is unnecessary.
Mark Ezra, CEO
Honesty Online
I am happy to see that one of the larger sites like eHarmony is validating the importance of identity verification. I have been told by many dating sites that polls they have taken from amongst their users show background checks and identity verification are two of the most highly requested features. Certainly, eHarmony’s actions, and the commitments other industry players have made with Honesty Online, indicate the industry is taking consumer demand seriously. I think this is an important initial step for the industry.
I expect that implementation of identity verification and background check products will be occurring more rapidly in the coming year. In support, Honesty Online will be going live with numerous client sites in the near future. I also expect that as the industry educates itself further on what is available and as the consumer refines its expectation, the identity verification products offered by dating sites will become more sophisticated and background screening products will be added. For example, eHarmony’s current verification process can be easily circumvented – if you know where a person has lived and their phone numbers, you should be able to pass their test and use someone else’s identity. At Honesty Online we are certainly seeing this evolution as a majority of our clients will be utilizing our criminal and sex offender search in addition to our identity verification product. Despite eHarmony’s identity verification product’s shortcomings, this is definitely a great first step and is even more significant in light of the new legislation passed in New Jersey. It is important for the industry to demonstrate a commitment and an ability to self-police so that legislation is unnecessary.
Mark Ezra, CEO
Honesty Online