Flawed Online Dating Bill Being Pushed in New Jersey

Billosaur writes "According to a report on Ars Technica, a committee of the New Jersey Assembly is trying to push an on-line dating bill even though it contains significant flaws. The Internet Dating Safety Act would require dating web sites that interact with customers in New Jersey to indicate whether they do criminal background checks and if people who fail such checks are still allowed to register with the site. 'The backers of the New Jersey Internet Dating Safety Act undoubtedly feel that the law provides at least a measure of protection despite its flaws. In this case, however, users of such sites are probably better off assuming that their personal safety remains a personal responsibility, rather than placing faith in a background check that has little chance of uncovering any information on a person attempting to hide it.'"

Other New Jersey Legislation

[Apple Acolyte]

Another piece of New Jersey legislation requires business owners to disclose to the public whether or not they have ties to organized crime.

Criminal Background Checks!

[Anonymous Coward]

Because that's how dating works in real life!

... Nice to meet you, Martha, now may I see your papers?

Everything seems to be in order here ... wait, wtf is this? A filing for a restraining order against you! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO! THIS DATE IS OVER!

Re:In Soviet Russia...

[trolltalk.com]

"In Soviet Russia the state dates YOU!

That would probably be an improvement for most slashdotters, where you're more likely to be *ahem* "dating yourself ..."

What's next, a flawed offline dating bill?

[Joe the Lesser]

I think you're cute. Background check me anytime and then maybe we'll get a cup of coffee.

you always hear about

[circletimessquare]

psychotic murderous psychopaths on death row with multiple female admirers sending them their panties in the mail and even a bride or two. and aren't women supposed to like the "bad" type?

maybe new jersey (teh state that gives us the sopranos, irony) has the wrong idea. maybe the real issue here is the nugget of a new online dating business: a place for women to meet and date proven criminals, not avoid them

Re:What about the fatties?

[PoliTech]

What about the Gender challenged? I don't mind my date showing up larger than advertised, but when SHE turns out to be a HE ... well that's where I draw the line! /Unless he/she is really fine looking, then a little petting before the breakup may be in order.

unnecessary ultima joke

[nomadic]

How would one do a background check on an avatar?

Ask him to bring you the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom?

Oh, darn.

[Anonymous Coward]

No more online dating. I guess it's back to raping and murdering strippers for me. Doo de doo doo...

Re:heh

[WestCoastJTF]

(i.e., chat online before speaking on the phone; speak a lot before agreeing to meet; meet somewhere public the first few times; meet their friends and family and see if they look normal. remember if you marry someone you're marrying their family, and if their family is psycho, chances are they are psycho too, even if they behave normal for a while).

Is that the voice of experience I hear?

Re:Criminal Background Checks!

[Applekid]

Even if you're not looking for a date but a quick good time [atomfilms.com].

Re:heh

[Froboz23]

I don't see what all the fuss is about. This seems like a good idea.


SLASHDOT DISCLAIMER: IN COMPLIANCE WITH NEW JERSEY PENAL CODE 15-1302, SLASHDOT HAS PERFORMED ALL REQUIRED CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON USER FROBOZ23, WHOSE LEGALLY REGISTERED NAME IS ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK. IN 1996, THIS PERSON HAD NON-CONSENTING SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH AN AQUATIC MAMMAL, A CLASS 12 FELONY. OH, AND THERE WAS ALSO THAT J-WALKING TICKET BACK IN '92. FOR SHAME. IF YOU INSIST ON MEETING WITH THIS VILE, NASTY PERSON, WE RECOMMEND YOU MEET IN A PUBLIC PLACE. PRE-PLAN YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES, AND BRING A HIGH-CALIBER WEAPON, JUST IN CASE.

Re:In Soviet Russia...

[trolltalk.com]

""Dating"... doesn't that mean telling how old an object, like a fossil or something, is? Carbon dating, etc?"

I for one welcome dating our carbon-based overlords.

Re:I "Fail" a Backround Check

[Anonymous Coward]

I "fail" a background check but you are unlikely to find a better lover or employee.

Up yours, ChoicePoint. You McCarthy-esque blacklisting fascists are what is wrong with America.

All freedom loving Americans should blacklist ChoicePoint and everyone who subscribes to their blacklist.

Dude, I dated a girl from New Jersey once. Trust me, you're not missing out on anything...