How Singapore's government-run dating service works
The Singaporean government has launched a pilot dating service called FirstDate, initially restricted to government employees. The platform utilizes the Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage Algorithm to facilitate matchmaking based on a detailed questionnaire.
Why it matters
It represents a unique intersection of government-led social engineering and algorithmic technology to address demographic or social challenges.
Those signing up to the FirstDate pilot programme must first complete a questionnaire of over 30 questions. Three years after the demise of the Social Development Network , it looks like a new government-run matchmaker is back on the cards for Singapore.
Earlier this month, a pilot progamme by GovTech called FirstDate was announced, with government workers set to be the first batch of daters. If this sounds familiar, that’s because I was the first to report on GovTech testing the waters with this idea all the way back in April for The Straits Times.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Singapore launches dating service for public servants
Singapore launches matchmaking service for government workers
Singapore launches matchmaking service for government workers
No decision made on expanding dating platform for Singapore public officers beyond pilot: GovTech
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in