Match.Com Ordered to Show it Screens Sex Offenders

A California judge ordered dating website Match.com Friday to show evidence it screens customers to exclude sex offenders.

The order by Superior Court Judge Carl West came in a case that saw a woman sue the popular matchmaking website after she was sexually assaulted by a man she met through the site last year.

Carole Markin later learned that the 67-year-old man had a history of sex offenses.

The lawsuit aims to compel Match.com to cross-check its members with information on sex offenders in US criminal databases.

Match.com has announced it would screen new members but the judge said he wanted proof that this policy was in place.

"It's a very serious claim," West said. "If Match.com has adopted policies that are good for public, then everybody wins."

The judge indicated the lawsuit may be settled if the company shows it is screening adequately.

Match.com, created in 1995, claims millions of members in more than 20 countries.