Bill Overview
Title: Online Dating Safety Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires online dating apps to verify a user's identity before allowing the user to register with the app. It also requires such apps to provide certain notifications designed to increase awareness about safe online dating practices.
Sponsors: Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-21]
Target Audience
Population: People using online dating apps
Estimated Size: 99000000
- Online dating apps are used globally by a wide range of people, including those looking for relationships, friendships, or networking opportunities.
- The primary users of online dating apps typically range from young adults to middle-aged individuals, often between ages 18 to 45.
- Due to a growing availability and acceptance of online dating, its usage is expected to encompass a significant portion of the adult population worldwide.
- Security measures, such as identity verification, might discourage some potential users who are concerned about privacy.
- Increased awareness and safety measures could positively impact all users by providing a safer environment, potentially increasing trust and usage over time.
Reasoning
- The target population primarily includes young adults to middle-aged individuals, which is a demographic with significant online dating activity.
- Given the $750 million budget in the first year, the focus is likely on major app providers to ensure a wide reach, possibly prioritizing apps with the highest user base.
- Concerns like privacy and user privacy associated with identity verification may lead to a decrease in initial onboarding of new users, though increased safety and trust could enhance long-term engagement.
- The policy could have no impact on those not engaging in online dating services regardless of safety measures.
Simulated Interviews
Graphic Designer (New York, NY)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about my personal data being handled by these companies.
- However, I'd feel safer knowing the people I talk to are who they say they are.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new regulations make using these apps a better experience overall.
- I see this as a step forward in digital safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Marketing Manager (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm all for anything that reduces scams and fake profiles.
- The privacy trade-off is worth the increased safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great that they're making online dating safer.
- I hope this doesn't mean my data ends up in wrong hands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Bartender (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm a bit worried about needing to verify my identity.
- Still, if everyone's verified, it might make this a better experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
HR Specialist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Safety notifications are important, especially for people like me who aren't very familiar with online dating.
- I appreciate the effort to make things safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad they're considering my safety.
- Hope these apps don't become too complicated with these changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Chef (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find online dating complex as it is, hope these changes make it safer without complicating usage.
- I wish there were simpler interactions in safe environments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Nurse (Seattle, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel more at ease knowing the app has stronger safety practices.
- Verification could slow down interaction, but it's a small price for safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Boston, MA)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing security and privacy is always tricky.
- If this gets more people verified, I welcome it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $750000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 3: $400000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $800000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $200000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $100000000)
Key Considerations
- The balance between privacy concerns and the implementation of identity verification systems is critical.
- Ensuring compliance across the wide variety of online dating platforms, ranging from small niche sites to large mainstream apps, is crucial.
- Technological advancements may reduce costs over time as systems mature and efficiencies are realized.