Online dating is a part of life of millions singles in America. Online dating sites such as eHarmony, Yahoo Personals, Match.com earns millions dollars on their services and this is a best example how popular is online dating our days. But how online dating sites are regulated by Federal law? How safe people are when searching for other singles online?Unfortunately online dating sites are not regulated by Federal law. Some US states have bills to regulate online dating sites to protect users from criminals or predators. For instance, California, Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Texas have already passed state bills (some already became laws) to regulate online dating sites. Most of these bills or laws do not require users to provide a criminal background check. Instead, they require the site to warn users of the lack of criminal background information about the site's users. Unfortunately such regulation of online dating is not effective as it could be because all depends on user behaviuour and decisions, if online dating service member fails to identify scam activity in most cases it is his problem. Dating sites are not obligated to cover expenses or losses of their users.
Some dating sites like True.com doing background check on their users but opposing Federal online dating laws argue that background checks may not be plenty accurate and, instead, they may provide online dating sites users a false assurance of security. Similarly, users with 'felony' mistakes during their youth years and currently proud members of society may be publicly affected by such federal laws. Others argue First Amendment rights of anonymity when visiting and posting their information in online dating sites.
Senators and those in favor of online dating laws argue that public safety is the goal and States, and the Federal government, must intervene. For instance, Alan Cropsey, a Michigan State Senator said:
"It's like the wild, wild west out there," When somebody goes online and says, ‘I'm so and so,'" added Cropsey, "they ought to be able to check and say ‘Hey, is this name popping up anywhere as far as being a sex offender or a domestic violence offender?'" Even executives from online dating sites favor this protecting legislation. For instance, Herb Vest, from True.com, an online dating site, said online dating laws may "save lives and prevent rapes, robberies and assaults." Indeed, Vest added "and it would bring many more single people, currently not using online-dating services, into our industry, once it's perceived as safe."
Federal regulation of online dating may still be distant. Constitutional issues may prevent an easy implementation of these laws and more statistical information about this market and the tangible risks involved may be required. State legislation is definitely the short-term solution to a problem or risk not uncommon in the offline world for decades.
Some dating sites like True.com doing background check on their users but opposing Federal online dating laws argue that background checks may not be plenty accurate and, instead, they may provide online dating sites users a false assurance of security. Similarly, users with 'felony' mistakes during their youth years and currently proud members of society may be publicly affected by such federal laws. Others argue First Amendment rights of anonymity when visiting and posting their information in online dating sites.
Senators and those in favor of online dating laws argue that public safety is the goal and States, and the Federal government, must intervene. For instance, Alan Cropsey, a Michigan State Senator said:
"It's like the wild, wild west out there," When somebody goes online and says, ‘I'm so and so,'" added Cropsey, "they ought to be able to check and say ‘Hey, is this name popping up anywhere as far as being a sex offender or a domestic violence offender?'" Even executives from online dating sites favor this protecting legislation. For instance, Herb Vest, from True.com, an online dating site, said online dating laws may "save lives and prevent rapes, robberies and assaults." Indeed, Vest added "and it would bring many more single people, currently not using online-dating services, into our industry, once it's perceived as safe."
Federal regulation of online dating may still be distant. Constitutional issues may prevent an easy implementation of these laws and more statistical information about this market and the tangible risks involved may be required. State legislation is definitely the short-term solution to a problem or risk not uncommon in the offline world for decades.
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