OPW – No fluff, just daily executive news summaries. Subscribe here to get the daily dose by email.
Month: July 2022
Dating News Headlines: Tinder
Quick links to today's dating news headlines
New US Identity and Background Legislation
OPW – In May 2022, Neil Davis, CBO of RealMe, spoke during the LTR summit about certain data protection legislation that's looming over online dating apps.
Utah HB352
- Taking effect in January 2023
- If you do business in Utah, you are either required to conduct background criminal checks on all your users whether they are in Utah or not. Or, say "We don't do background checks on our users, your safety may be at risk."
- Build Online Dating Safety Hub with safety guidelines.
- Fine – the number of your users in Utah x $250.
Connecticut Act Concerning Online Dating Operators
- Taking effect in October 2022.
- By Oct 1st you have to verify the identity of everyone on your app. Then you either do background checks and kick off people with criminal convictions or you have to say that you don't do background checks and that their safety may be at risk.
- Build Online Dating Safety Hub
- Keep data of every Connecticut for 2 years.
- Fine – $25K per instance
RealMe can verify the identity of your users using phone numbers and do background checks and reputation checks.
Florida and California are now drafting the same legislation, both to be effective in January. Read the full version here. Sound file for download here.
Mark Brooks: Neil will cover the upcoming New Jersey law which is similar to the CT law in the next Trust & Safety Connect online panel discussion on Aug 17th. Email me at mark@courtlandbrooks.com for a free seat.
New US Identity and Background Legislation
In May 2022, Neil Davis, CBO of RealMe, spoke during the LTR summit held in New York about certain data protection legislation that’s looming over online dating apps, and how he thinks it could impact the online dating landscape in the US.
Utah HB352
A couple of weeks ago, the Utah legislators passed the House Bill 352 in a 35-0 vote (it will take effect in January 2023).
Anybody who offers member access to dating or other romantic relationships with another member or facilitates social introduction to members and does business in Utah are either required to conduct background criminal checks on all their users whether they are in Utah or not. Or, if you do not do background checks, everytime a Utah user comes on your service, you have to say “We don’t do background checks on our users, your safety may be at risk.”
You have to build a Dating Safety Hub with safety guidelines and show it to all your Utah members. For example: Don’t give your first and last name, meet at public places, tell your friends where you are going, etc.
If you as a platform are acting in good faith, then you are not personally liable. If not, there will be a fine – the number of your users in Utah x $250.
Connecticut Act Concerning Online Dating Operators
In May 2022 the state of Connecticut passed and signed a dramatically more impactful law. It has to be in effect in October 2022. The state of Connecticut defines online dating platform as anybody who offers a software app to intimate relationships with other individuals for the purpose of romance, sex, or marriage. By Oct 1st you have to verify the identity of everyone on your app, not just Connecticut residents. Once you verify the identity, you either do background checks and kick off people with criminal convictions or you have to say that you don’t do background checks and that their safety may be at risk. You have to also provide the Online Dating Safety Hub. If a Connecticut user leaves your services you have to keep their data for 2 years.
The fine is $25K per instance if you don’t oblige.
“So this is something we (RealMe) can help with. We can verify the identity of your users using phone numbers and do background checks and reputation checks. We are matching UIDs. We know that User 123 on MeetMe is the same as User ABC on Bumble, because most people use multiple dating apps. We can tell you that your user ABC has displayed some inappropriate behavior on another app.”
Neil Davis has also expressed his concern about Florida and California now drafting the same legislation, both to be effective in January.
Soaring Prices Are Changing the Dating Game
BLOOMBERG – Surging prices are making it more expensive to wine and dine a love interest, causing daters to reassess their priorities. The consumer price index category for food away from home rose 7.7% YOY, while full-service restaurants climbed 8.9%. Among 3K users on Hinge, 41% said they were more concerned with the cost of dates now versus a year ago, with Gen Z respondents more likely to feel the pressure. "As a result, people are on the hunt for less expensive options," said Logan Ury, director of relationship science at Hinge.
The RealMe and UrSafe Partner to Expand SOS Button Technology to Dating Platforms
EIN NEWS – The RealMe SOS button powered by the UrSafe app is the world's first hands-free, voice-activated personal safety tool. Features of the SOS Button include:
- It can be triggered anytime by a designated safe word.
- It provides an easy to use, handsfree lifeline in situations where users may feel unsafe using their phone.
- Using various safe words will trigger various responses, including calls to law enforcement, friends and family.
- Friends and family can view user's location in real time including a live video stream
- Security provided in over 195 countries
Muzz Gonna Pay Any Fines Women in France Get for Wearing a ‘Burkini’
6IX – Muzz, a popular dating app for Muslims with 6M users, is taking a stand and supporting the rights of Muslim women who want to cover their bodies while also enjoying a day at the beach. France doesn't allow women to wear a burkini in public pools for religious reasons. They say it violates government neutrality toward religion. Muzz will give money back to anyone who receives a burkini fine in France (up to a total of €25K) this summer.
Dating News Headlines: Lua, Lox Club, RealMe, Muzz
Quick links to today's dating news headlines
- J.P. Morgan Cuts Online Dating Estimates on Macro Issues, but Stays Positive – Seeking Alpha
- The RealMe and UrSafe Partner to Expand SOS Button Technology to Dating Platforms – Ein Newswire
- New Israeli Dating App Replaces Profile Pictures With Animal Avatars – The Jerusalem Post
- Members-Only Dating App Lox Club to Launch Summer Happy Hour Series in NYC – Globe Newswire
- This Muslim App Is Gonna Pay Any Fines Women in France Get for Wearing a 'Burkini' as the Country Is Set to See the Hottest Temperatures Recorded – 6iXBuzz
- Dating App Users Are More Likely to Report Hypersexual Tendencies and Symptoms of Depression, Study Finds – PsyPost
Events Thoughts
OPW – Your opinion matters. Please voice it. How should IDEA proceed with events? What would you like to see? Please add your voice and opinion to this Swell.
Executives at Baihe Jiayuan Arrested for Embezzlement
SCMP – Fosun International said executives at its Chinese online-dating subsidiary have been arrested for alleged financial embezzlement. Baihe Jiayuan is a merger of two Chinese online dating platforms called Baihe.com and Jiayuan.com, leading to the privatisation of Nasdaq-listed Jiayuan in 2016. Fosun bought ~70% of the merged entity in 2018 for 4B yuan ($593M). The arrests came after rumors surfaced on Chinese social media platform Weibo about the disappearance of Baihe Jiayuan's management team, including its CEO, COO and CFO.