Swipe Them Out: Police back calls for ID checks on users of dating apps

NSW Police has thrown its support behind growing calls to force online daters to reveal their real identity before being granted access to the apps used by millions of people.

NSW Police has thrown its support behind growing calls to force online daters to reveal their real identity before being granted access to the apps used by millions of people.

The boss of NSW’s Sex Crimes Squad said her agency would support any move that tightened the lax security rules on popular dating apps, most of which do not require a user to even supply a last name.

“In the ideal world, yes, we would like to be able to make sure anyone who goes onto any app, which puts people in touch with others so they can meet, that they have to confirm their identity,’’ Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said.

“It would also be a way to trace back to them, stop them just creating another profile if they abuse the platform’s standards.

“Any move that can reduce the risk of abuse of course we would be 100 per cent supportive of.”

NSW Sex Crimes Squad boss Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty has thrown her support behind The Daily Telegraph’s Swipe Them Out campaign.

The comments come after The Daily Telegraph launched its Swipe Them Out campaign prompting the federal and state governments to unite for a summit on the issue of dating app safety later this month.

Politicians from both levels of government and all sides of politics have supported the Telegraph’s campaign, created in the aftermath of the death of Sydney teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones last month.

Police confirmed the man that allegedly murdered her, and who had several AVOs lodged against him by other people, met Ms Finlay-Jones on a dating app.

Det Supt Doherty said police were unable to release someone’s criminal record to members of the public or organisations such as dating apps without a legal reason to divulge it.

“Knowing someone’s identity may help people to do some checking before you meet them,” she said. “Domestic and sexual violence unfortunately exists in many ways. Even if you meet someone through a friend of a friend you have to be cautious. Meeting someone at a pub as well has its dangers … it’s very difficult to know someone’s background.”

Det Supt Doherty said the Sex Crimes Squad worked closely with all those involved in dating apps and other internet platforms which could be abused by predators.

“They are generally very supportive. Anything which helps a site get a reputation as a safe dating site is only good for them as well,’’ she said.

“Our message is always try and be safe when on these apps.

“People are going to use dating apps and we don’t have a problem with that.

“Kids meet on the internet as well, it's the modern world and we have to try and make things as safe as we can.”

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