Overlawyered.com recently described a New Jersey bill which would require internet dating sites to post prominent notices regarding criminal background checks for their members. The sites are required to post in 12-point type whether or not they have done a background check on their users. If the site has run the criminal checks, they are then required to post numerous disclaimers that it doesn’t really mean anything because their background checks are seriously flawed. Either way, not meant to give a potential dater a warm and fuzzy feeling.
It is a little amusing to see how this is turning out, after knowing how it started. A few years ago, True.com acquired exclusive rights to technology to determine if members were single. They combined this with a criminal background check to promote their service as the best place to find an eligible partner. Having established this competitive differentiator — and paying quite a lot to do so — they decided that the best way to capitalize on it was to force other dating sites to show that they didn’t take as much care. True.com CEO Herb Vest began a personal crusade to lobby state legislatures regarding mandatory notification. In fairness it must be said that he appears to have some non-monetary motives, but the move was widely interpreted as a form of marketing and was opposed by the industry, which did not see this as likely to increase sales. Their primary objection was that background checks would lead to a false sense of security, so it appears that the legislators addressed this by making ALL internet dating seem dangerous. While Vest is undoubtedly pleased about this bill, it is hard to imagine he wants disclaimers saying that the background checks are junk.
Are criminal background checks for internet daters worthwhile? It depends on how the sites are verifying identity. Since they need to make signups convenient, it is doubtful they are asking for a copy of a driver’s license — and people can type in anything they want online. Requiring a social security number can help, but even that can be faked. This is without even getting into the debate over whether minor crimes should be relevant. However, such safeguards may make a particular site less convenient for an offender — encouraging them to use another one instead, and achieving the desired effect of protecting the site’s members from the criminal element.
How silly wanting background checks to be carried out on memebers.
Do the clubs and pubs where people meet up have background checks on their clients, I think not.
I for one would not be willing to have my privacy invaded so I could have a bit on the side, no thank you. Let’s face it many men are wanting a notch on the belt, it is up to the ladies to steal their hearts away.
Well that is my view for what it is worth