We’re relieved to report that a bill to regulate online dating (HB 411) was derailed last week in a Florida House Committee. (See my previous post on this bill)
This bill is a variant of True.com’s push to regulate dating services in a way that endorses the way True.com does background checks. But the real problem is that this bill would create a false sense of security for Florida singles. Moreover, it would freeze innovation and competition in the area of online authentication.
Along with the testimony that NetChoice provided, many others were instrumental in providing the facts that were able to sway to committee. Thanks to Yahoo, match.com and others for working to shed light on this ill-conceived regulation.
This is the fourth year in a row it has been defeated in Florida, but you can bet it won’t be the last time we see it. We can be on the look out for it to rise from the ashes yet again in 2009.