Leading online dating websites to check U.S. sex offender registries

[News_Editor]

Leading online dating websites to check U.S. sex offender registries

2012-03-21 18:00:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

SAN FRANCISCO, California (BNO NEWS) -- Leading online dating companies Match.com, eHarmony and the operator of the websites ChristianMingle and JDate have signed an agreement to check its subscribers against the U.S. sex offender registries, the companies announced on late Tuesday.

The three-page agreement between California Attorney General Kamala Harris and the three companies states that the providers will attempt to identify sexual predators, including through the use of sex offender registries when they have the information required to conduct such checks.

The agreement recognizes that such screening tools have limitations which impact their efficacy, and the websites will therefore also use other tools and technologies to protect its members and identify fake profiles. "When identified, [the providers will] remove registered sexual predators from participating in fee-based services on their websites," the agreement said.

Harris welcomed the agreement, which also calls for the websites to provide its members with safety tips and a rapid abuse reporting system through which members can notify the provider and investigators of potential physical safety issues, fraud, or other suspected criminal activity.

"Consumers should be able to use websites without the fear of being scammed or targeted," said Harris, whose office established an eCrime Unit last year to prosecute crimes involving the use of technology. "In the interest of protecting and educating users, I strongly encourage all online dating companies to adopt the same principles as these industry leaders."

It is estimated that, last year, approximately 40 million Americans used an online dating service and spent more than $1 billion on online dating website memberships. Of couples married in the last three years, one in six met through an online dating service and one in five people have dated someone they met through an online dating site.

Match.com, one of the best known dating websites, already announced in April 2011 that it would begin checking its existing and new subscribers against sex offender registries. It followed a civil lawsuit filed by a California woman who claimed that she was sexually assaulted by one of its members.

In the lawsuit, the unidentified woman alleged that sex offender Alan Paul Wurtzel, who has a history of sexual battery, forced her to have oral sex at her home. The alleged sexual assault happened on their second date, and the woman was apparently not aware of his past until she searched the internet for his name after the incident.

Match.com President Mandy Ginsberg and eHarmony CEO Jeremy Verba both said their companies are proud to work with Harris and the other dating providers to set an example for the online dating industry. "eHarmony has the greatest concern for the safety and security of our members," Verba said.

Greg Liberman, President and CEO of Spark Networks which operates websites such as JDate, ChristianMingle, BlackSingles and SilverSingles, also encouraged others in the industry to join the agreement. "The safety of our members and integrity of our sites is of fundamental importance to us, and we have always taken a multi-faceted approach to creating and maintaining safe online communities like JDate and ChristianMingle," he said.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-03-21

[BookMan]

Check its subscribers against the sex offenders registry?

What is to stop someone using a fictitious name when they sign up on the site to begin with?

If they were serious, that is the point they would start with. Verified identification when signing up to the dating site. Then any check against the sex offenders registry might be effective.

[BangkokHank]

But the woman in this article who was attacked did a search on the name of the guy who attacked her - and came up with information suggesting that he had a history of sexual battery. This implies that he DID use his real name when he signed up for the service. It also suggests that, at the very least, it might be a good idea to search people's names BEFORE going out on a date with them.