A new proposed law in New York could really hit some dating sites hard. As part of the Internet Dating Safety Act, this law will require sites to either perform criminal background checks on all members or post a notice indicating that they are not performing the background checks.

This new law is very broad, and applies to any site that allows you to meet strangers online. So, in addition to traditional online dating sites, popular pages like Facebook would be on the hook, too. Fines can be steep for sites that fail to post the appropriate notices or run the background checks.

Texas has already passed a similar law, and many other states are looking at similar statutes.

So, will this type of law deter people from online dating? Online dating has become so mainstream that it’s hard to imagine that people who frequent these sites aren’t aware that it’s important to take precautions before meeting online friends in person.

It’s also unlikely that any of the websites that fall under the new statutes will actually perform background checks on new members due to the workload and costs associated with it. So, when all is said and done, it’s hard to predict if these laws will have any positive effect on the safety of online dating. There certainly will never be a substitute for taking personal precautions.

taraNews & ViewsBackground Checks,LawsA new proposed law in New York could really hit some dating sites hard. As part of the Internet Dating Safety Act, this law will require sites to either perform criminal background checks on all members or post a notice indicating that they are not performing the background checks....Advice and Tips for Online Dating