In a troubling trend, gay and bisexual individuals in Australia are increasingly being targeted in violent attacks orchestrated through dating and social media apps. A recent investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) uncovered several hate crimes involving Islamic State sympathisers assaulting gay and bisexual men in Sydney. These perpetrators often met their victims on platforms like Wizz, an app marketed for connecting young people, including minors.
This alarming pattern is not isolated. As of October 2024, Victoria Police had arrested 35 individuals in connection to similar incidents where offenders used fake profiles on Grindr and other dating apps to lure and attack gay men. In response, Victoria has launched a parliamentary inquiry to delve into this surge of attacks.
How Dating Apps Are Addressing User Safety
Setting up an account on a dating app is remarkably simple, typically requiring just an email, password, and date of birth. This ease of access, however, also facilitates the creation of fake profiles by those with malicious intent.
Several dating apps, including Grindr, adhere to the Australian Online Dating Code of Practice. This code obligates them to implement measures to mitigate “online-enabled harm,” such as displaying reporting mechanisms and processes to block harmful content. However, Wizz, which is not a signatory, requires users to verify their identity through a selfie assessed by AI age assurance software—a system with known vulnerabilities.
In response to past attacks, Grindr has introduced pop-up safety messages to warn users about potential violence and offer safety tips. Despite these efforts, the question remains: could dating apps do more to protect their users?
Challenges and Risks of Enhanced Verification
There have been calls for dating apps to require users to provide 100 points of ID to verify their profiles. While this could enhance security, it also introduces new risks, particularly for minority communities. Research indicates that marginalized groups, including Indigenous women and LGBTQIA+ individuals, are more susceptible to technology-facilitated abuse.
Recent breaches of platforms like Discord have heightened concerns about increased data collection and surveillance, particularly among these vulnerable communities.
Although having databases with users’ real names might aid in reporting crimes, it does not prevent offenders from misrepresenting themselves. Many apps in Australia already collaborate with law enforcement and share relevant data post-crime, but transparency about consulting marginalized users, including online abuse survivors, remains limited.
Notably, Bumble Inc.’s apps, such as Bumble, Badoo, and Fruitz, partner with survivor-led digital organization Chayn to provide free online trauma support, highlighting a proactive approach to user safety.
Strategies for LGBTQIA+ Users to Enhance Safety
Current initiatives primarily focus on responding to online-enabled harm rather than prevention. Online platforms lack the tools to moderate behavior once users meet offline. To address this, LGBTQIA+ health organizations have developed tipsheets to help users stay safe on dating apps.
These guidelines recommend having a short video call with someone you plan to meet in real life to verify their identity, as perpetrators often create convincing fake profiles. Additionally, users are encouraged to share their location with a trusted friend when meeting someone new and to report any abuse to the police or Crimestoppers.
It is crucial to emphasize that members of minority communities are not responsible for hate crimes, and individual risk mitigation can never be foolproof.
Australia’s recent history shows that when discrimination and exclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals are normalized, offenders feel justified in their violent actions. This underscores the need for systemic change alongside individual precautions.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For information and advice about family and intimate partner violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact 000.
