China clamps down on inappropriate dating sites

An internet watchdog in Beijing has called on 12 dating websites to significantly adjust their strategies in the week ahead.

Taking advantage of the sudden surge in popularity of online dating, the 12 websites have been accused of selling sex, providing explicit content and effectively "pimping" members.

According to the internet watchdog, the content on some of the websites is "very shocking" and it is undermining the legitimate activities of genuine dating organisations in the country.

A deadline of June 1st has been set and the accused companies now have just a few days to remove inappropriate content.

"Aiding and abetting the spread of prostitution information in pursuit of higher hit rate may be against the law," Min Dahong, director of the panel, told the Xinhua News Agency.

Last year, Jupiter Research reported that the online dating market in Europe grew by 43 per cent in 2005.

A separate report from Bath University has found that 94 per cent of online agency customers in the UK meet up with their online partner again after their first face-to-face get-together.