Originally Posted by rowan

An Australian dating site has been found to contravene the Australian Trade Practices Act by misrepresenting that profiles were created by real people.

Jetplace Pty Ltd, the operator of the socialising and dating website wvw.redhotpie.com.au, has been ordered by the Federal Court to disclose that Jetplace created and operated well over a thousand of its own profiles on its redhotpie website.

[...]

He added: "Had this conduct occurred after the introduction of the new Australian Consumer Law, it is likely the ACCC would have sought from the court civil pecuniary penalties. Such penalties can be up to $1.1 million for companies and $220,000 for individuals."

FYI, $1.1 million AU is about $USD980,000.

Read full release here: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index...onItemId=16940

Court decision here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/c.../2010/759.html

They escaped the fine this time, but have to pay court costs (for both sides), have to go through trade practice training (at their cost), notify both guests and members of the action (both by email and a warning at login), and offer refunds for members who feel they've been wronged. It's going to be a big hit, good riddance I say.