Bumble, Tinder in new code of conduct to stamp out abuse

More than three million Aussies use dating applications like Tinder and Hinge across Australia.

Bumble, Grindr, Spark Networks, RSVP and Match have already signed up to the voluntary code.

Match is the largest player in the field and owns Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish and OK Cupid.

Under the new rules, companies will also shut the dating accounts of users across apps if safety policies are violated.

"If an industry participant operates more than one dating service, any enforcement action taken against an end-user for a serious violation of the online safety policies is applied to all known accounts used by that end-user," the new code says.

Federal communications minister Michelle Rowland said the code would be evaluated by the eSafety Commissioner.

Ms Rowland said the tech companies had "made clear, public commitments to improve the safety of their services including to crack down on abuse and de-platform dangerous users".

The voluntary code includes implementing systems to detect potential incidents of online-enabled harm, terminating users who've been found to have violated their policies and creating prominent clear and transparent complaint and reporting mechanisms.

Dating app companies will also have to publish regular transparency reports on Australian accounts and implement a new rating system to provide consumers with information about the safety features of their apps.

The code will start in October allowing the companies three months to put the new practices into place.

The eSafety Comissioner recommends taking the following precautions to stay safe on dating apps: