PRNEWSWIRE — Apr 26 — America's leading internet and technology firms and trade associations expressed deep reservations about the Florida bill that would impose government oversight on online dating and require criminal background checks or disclosures for users of online dating services. In a letter to the Florida legislature, the group noted that the bill would impose new liabilities and responsibilities upon not only Internet dating sites, but on an almost limitless array of Internet sites and services and has the potential to create a false sense of security for users. Although there have been very few, if any, instances of online dating related crimes in Florida, the legislation would require background checks or disclosures that the services do not screen customers. "Consumers are in the best position to determine which services provide them with the most security and comfort," concluded Netcoalition spokesperson Erickson, "not the government." NetCoalition serves as the public policy voice for: AeA, Amazon, AOL, Association for Competitive Technology, CareerBuilder, eBay, eHarmony, Electronic Retailing Association, FriendFinder, Google, IdeaOasis, Information Technology Association of America, Internet Alliance, Internet Commerce Coalition, Lavalife, Match.com, Microsoft, MyEMatch.com, NetChoice, ProfileDoctor, Singles Industry Trade Association, Spark Networks, TechNet, The Right One, Trufina, Userplane, U.S. Internet Service Provider Association, VeriSign, Yahoo!
Mark Brooks: Weighty opposition to the background checks legislation.
PRESSE PORTAL — May 5 — Spark Networks reported Q1 2005 results. Revenue for the first quarter of 2005 was up 10% to $16.5 million. Net income was $2 million, compared to a net loss of $3 million. EBITDA for Q1 2005 was $3 million, compared to EBITDA loss of $2.2 million in the same period last year. JDate revenue was $6.5 million, up 10%. AmericanSingles revenue was $8.1 million, down 5%. Average paying subscribers was 222,700, up 7%. JDate had 70,400, up 3%. AmericanSingles had 121,600, up 4%. 
