Users of online dating apps could be exposed to increased risks of digital sexual abuse such as “catfishing” due to the inadequate security measures of the platforms, a cyber expert has warned.
The comment comes after the federal Labor government notified major dating apps to create a voluntary code of conduct to protect users from predators and criminals.
Failing this, the government has pledged to impose its own code of conduct by mid-2024.The push is in response to a surge of abuse and sexual violence among people using online dating platforms. According to a study in 2022, nearly three in four dating app users experienced sexual violence in the past five years, with sexual harassment being the most common form of abuse.
Dr. Philip Bos, a customer identity theft protection and security specialist, supported the government’s crackdown on the safety of dating apps, saying it could bring “significant security benefits for users.”
