The Risks of Sharing Personal Information on Dating Apps: A Data Privacy Perspective

In the digital age, personal data has become a valuable commodity that is sought after by both technology companies and cybercriminals. Dating apps have become increasingly popular, with many encouraging users to provide personal details in exchange for better chances of finding a partner. However, these apps often have deficiencies in protecting user data. According to a report by the Mozilla Foundation, 80% of dating apps can share or sell users’ personal information for advertising purposes, even in the paid version, and 52% have a history of data breaches.

One example of this is the leak involving Grindr, which allowed a Catholic group in the U.S. to track members of the clergy. Match Group also sent sensitive information of Tinder and OkCupid users to third parties. Some dating apps have even shared users’ HIV status and sexual orientation with third parties. Only three out of 25 dating apps examined were considered good at data protection and privacy, while others were rated as deficient.

To protect personal information when using dating apps, it is important to carefully choose the app, review privacy settings, read the Privacy Policy, and limit the information shared with the app. Users should treat dating apps as they would their LinkedIn profile, avoid linking social networks, and limit permissions granted to the app such as camera or geolocation access.

The Mozilla Foundation recommends using only dating apps that meet data protection standards like Lex, eHarmony and Happn and treating these apps as if they were public profiles. Users should also regularly review device settings to disable unnecessary app permissions. By following these recommendations, users can reduce the risk of their personal information being used without consent