Simon Newman

CEO Online Dating and Discovery Association

Simon is the CEO of the Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA). As the global global voice for the sector, the ODDA represents the views of its members with policymakers and regulators around the world. Simon has previously held a number of senior leadership roles in the public sector, including at the Home Office and the Ministry of Interior in the UAE. He is a co-founder of Cyber London, Advisory Board Member of the Centre for Online Safety, Safeguarding Privacy and Identity (COSPI) and an Honorary Visiting Fellow at City St Georges University, London.

Conference Day Two - Wednesday 25th March 2026

1:50 PM Panel Discussion: Evolving Strategies for Managing Safety in Dating

Dating platforms face a dual responsibility: protecting users in digital spaces and responsibly facilitating the connections that extend into the real world. To effectively meet this challenge, Trust & Safety teams must be embedded into product and operational decision-making, ensuring safety is not an afterthought but a core principle. This panel will explore how leading platforms are tackling these complexities.

Embedding T&S teams cross-functionally to prioritize safety by design
Addressing the unique challenges of online interactions within dating
Balancing user experience with proactive safeguards against harm
Leveraging data, reporting tools, and partnerships to detect and mitigate risk
Future directions in dating safety: what innovations and collaborations are needed next

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Simon.

Download The Latest Agenda

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