True Launches Online Dating Safety Campaign
(onlinedatingmagazine.com -
July 6, 2004) In an effort to make online dating a
safer, more secure experience for the millions of singles
across the United States who are using the Internet
to find relationships, True has
announced that it is launching a state-by-state campaign
in support of
legislation requiring online dating services to conduct
criminal background checks or to prominently disclose
to its members if an online dating service chooses
not to provide this safety-enhancing service. Already
garnering strong support in the company's home State
of Texas, Senator John Carona and State Representative
Will Hartnett have joined True's safety movement as
sponsors of the legislation.
"Millions of consumers are using online dating
services and millions more will join in the future.
It is imperative
that we make them as safe as possible," said Texas
Senator John Carona.
True, which used to be TrueBeginnings, claims to be
the only online relationship service that actively
promotes
increasing
the safety
of its
members
by performing extensive criminal screening on its communicating
members. In order to ensure that everyone who uses
online dating services benefits from a higher standard
of safety and security, True's proposed legislation
requires all online dating services to conduct felony
and sexual offense background searches. Moreover, the
proposed legislation compels all online dating services
that fail to implement such increased safety measures
to prominently warn their potential members of this
serious deficiency.
"An increasing number of criminals, including
sexual predators, find their victims on the Internet," said
Bill Rathburn, president of Rathburn & Associates,
a comprehensive security planning and operations firm,
and a True advisory board member. "By requiring
online dating services to screen new members before
they are allowed to communicate with existing members,
the industry will be able to increase member safety
while simultaneously reducing the potential for Internet-related
crimes."
"This legislation proposed by True specifically
addresses the challenges and dangers of online dating.
Our objective is to help single adults safely navigate
the potentially treacherous waters of online romance," said
Herb Vest, founder and CEO of True. "Individuals
making use of online dating services deserve a wholesome
environment for courtship, free of predators, and that's
exactly what this legislation will promote. We hope
that other online relationship services, politicians,
safety advocates and others interested in creating
a safer online experience will join our cause."
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