Online Dating Association's Industry Update

ODA - Here is an overview of what the ODA has been up to in the last quarter, and a briefing on recent Public Relations and Government Affairs activities.

ODA Update

• ODA to attend New York GDI conference
• ODA webinar on April 26th

Public Relations Update

• With the release of the Tinder Swindler the media focus is on romance fraud. The ODA intends to keep working with partners to educate the public on romance fraud.

Policy and Advocacy Update

• The ODA has joined TechUK, the trade association for the wider technology sector in the UK.

Online Safety Legislation

• If you would like to read more about the Online Safety Bill in the UK, TechUK has done an excellent synopsis of the Joint Committee report in December.
• The Digital Services Act (DSA) was passed by the European Parliament. A good overview of both the DSA and DMA (Digital Markets Act) can be found here.
• In the USA, two senators introduced KOSA, the Kids Online Safety Act.
• Another online safety bill, the EARN IT Act, was passed. It will amend Section 230 to allow lawsuits against internet companies that advertise, promote, present, distribute or solicit material depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Pro-Competition in Digital Markets

• The ODA has joined CAF, the Coalition for App Fairness, which advocates for fair competition in digital markets and for all developers.
• In Europe, the Digital Markets Act is in trilogue, and is likely to be finalised this year.
• In the USA, there are two major bills in the Senate
• Open App Markets Act and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act

Data Protection & Privacy

• In the UK, the government is reviewing GDPR
• The European Commission rolled out the EU Data Act , a new proposal regulating the extent tech platforms can use or share consumer data.
• In the USA, is it likely at some point the Federal Government will need to pass a data protection Bill

Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence

• The UK Government has announced its Cyber Strategy for 2022, which includes funding for the National Cyber Security Programme.
• In the EU, a joint committee of IMCO and LIBE launched Parliament's work on the AI Act which looks to assess and label potential risks posed by aspects of AI tech.
• In the USA, Democrats are looking for stronger legislation to empower the FTC to mandate transparency of AI algorithms, with the Algorithmic Accountability Act.