In partnership with Tinder
If the name of the charity Wesnet rings a bell, then we might know why – musician Olivia Rodrigo directed a portion of her ticket sales from the Australian leg of her GUTS tour to the leading domestic violence charity.
With almost 350 eligible members across Australia, Wesnet represents a range of organisations and individuals including women’s refuges, shelters, safe houses and information/referral services. The organisation is back in the news again, this time with an innovative new partnership with Tinder.
Announced this week, Tinder has launched a national verification drive as its latest initiative to enhance user safety and build trust in online dating by encouraging users to be a Verified QT. This initiative has been brought to life with Wesnet.
In a year like 2024, never has it been more important to ensure user safety online – especially on dating apps. “2024 has been another year of rapid technological advances. Unfortunately, these advances have been accompanied by economic and political pressures which are rapidly evolving our online spaces,” Karen Bentley, CEO of Wesnet told Missing Perspectives.
“Sadly, while most of us use dating apps to find love, fun, and authentic connections, there is a small portion of the community misusing this technology. As advocates for ending gender-based violence, we know how critical it is for technology platforms to ensure the safety of online spaces for all their customers and members.”
According to Tinder’s data, being verified is one of the most appealing aspects of a dating profile, with 69% of users under 30 in Australia interested in seeing verified profiles, and 66% specifically interested in seeing a profile badge to indicate verified status. Not only is verification enhancing authenticity for users, it’s also increasing match rates – with Tinder confirming that Aussie users who complete ID + Photo Verification get a higher match rate on average. What’s not to love?
“With a relationship formed every three seconds on Tinder, we understand the importance of authenticity. What better way to put your authentic self forward than by having a fully verified profile, complete with that blue tick,” Tinder’s Communications Director in Australia, Kirsty Dunn said in a statement. “We’re proud to announce this Verified QT campaign in Australia in partnership with Wesnet.”
Bentley said: “Everyone has a right to feel safe online and in their relationships. It’s great to see Tinder focusing not only on trust and safety but also on promoting healthy and respectful relationships, as well as supporting the critical work we do at Wesnet. Verification helps verify that potential matches are real and can also act as a deterrent to those looking to misuse technology.”
This is the latest Australian initiative from Tinder focused on educating users on dating safety. In September Tinder announced its Consent Course with Chanel Contos (you can read our coverage here), and has previously launched School of Swipe, Dating Safety Guide and Dating Dictionary: Consent Edition, which Tinder says provides valuable information to help navigate the dating landscape safely and with confidence.
So, what’s next? Tinder is bringing the Verified QT drive to life with a pop-up event taking place at Bondi Beach on Friday 29 November between 10:00am-2:00pm. Tinder users who register to be a verified QT are able to have their profile photos captured by leading photographer Cybele Malinowski (who we are huge fans of here at Missing Perspectives).
In addition to getting a new headshot, Tinder users will be able to get verified on the spot and also receive some personalised advice from Tinder’s local dating expert Sera Bozza. Tinder will be donating up to $20,000 for newly verified accounts to Wesnet.
The activation will complement the work Tinder is doing with the new nationwide industry code of conduct for dating apps.
“The activation work encourages authenticity to give members more confidence that online interactions are genuine. The new code includes three key steps for making these interactions safer. Firstly, ensure that dating apps have systems to detect potential incidents of online-enabled harm,” says Karen Bentley. “Secondly, to have transparent complaint and reporting mechanisms in place for when harm does occur. And thirdly, to make more resources available on safe dating practices and potential harms.”
In a year like 2024, never has it been more important to drive user safety on platforms like Tinder – and this initiative couldn’t be more timely. We’ll be at the pop-up activation – see you there?