The ODDA launches new standards review with the University of Leeds

Raising standards across the online dating and social discovery sector forms a key part of our work at the ODDA – it’s what sets our members apart from others. That’s why we’re delighted to be working with leading academics from University of Leeds to help us ensure our standards remain current and based on the latest thinking.

Over the next few months, Associate Professors Luke Brunning and Natasha McKeever of the Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships at Leeds University will be carrying out a formal review of our standards. Both Luke and Natasha bring significant expertise and knowledge to this important piece of research, having worked with several major apps over the last few years.

The review comes at a time of considerable change and opportunity for our sector and will focus on ensuring our standards reflect new legal duties and the growing use of emerging tec hnology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Alongside this, the work will also play an important part in the consideration of the broader role that online dating and social discovery platforms play in modern society, particularly the ways in which digital environments are shaping human connection, relationships, and social interaction in an increasingly online world. This forms part of a wider area of research the ODDA is keen to explore in the future around how technology can both support and influence meaningful connection.

“It’s an important time to be examining the ODDAs standards. Not only will new standards help the industry address emerging challenges, from the rise in romance fraud to the use of generative-AI in online dating, but more importantly the process of drafting them kickstarts a vital conversation about the social impact of online dating and discovery in the UK.” Luke Brunning , Associate Professor in Applied Ethics

We expect to publish our revised standards in October.