GovTech launches dating pilot to match public officers
GovTech has launched the FirstDate pilot for public officers aged 21 to 35.
Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) has introduced a pilot program called FirstDate to help civil servants aged 21 to 35 find romantic connections. The initiative uses a Singpass-verified algorithm to match users based on their interests, habits, values, and preferences. The Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage algorithm, which won a Nobel Prize in 2012, is employed to pair participants who prefer each other.
Users receive a match and a compatibility score once per matchmaking cycle, with a three-day window to accept. Contacts are only shared if both parties agree. Post-match, users can participate in 'Date Quests' to foster conversation. Eligible applicants include singles, widowed, and divorced individuals. Users may deactivate their accounts and request removal of their information at any time.
The pilot aims to address "swipe fatigue" and facilitate more thoughtful connections. Parallel to this effort, the Government has been grappling with rising numbers of singles or later marriage, prompting measures to boost birth rates.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
