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."