Dating app background and ID checks being considered in bid to fight abuse

Background checks and ID verification systems in dating apps are among the measures being considered as governments around the country grapple with how to keep people safe while they are looking for love online. The strategies were discussed by ministers, victim-survivors, authorities and technology companies as part of national dating app roundtable talks in Sydney on Wednesday. The federal communications minister, Michelle Rowland, said it was an "important first step", flagging discussion of possible longer-term changes like background checks for dating app users. "None of us underestimate the complex issues around privacy, user safety, data collection and management that are involved," she said. "There's no one law that is going to fix this issue."