A new report from Mozilla warns that dating apps are now worse than ever for privacy. The report states that many popular dating apps collect and share users’ personal data without their knowledge. Of the 25 apps reviewed, 22 received a “Privacy Not Included” label, cautioning users to think twice before using them. Companies often use personal information for reasons unrelated to love, sharing or selling it for advertising purposes.
Furthermore, the report highlights that many apps do not do the bare minimum to keep users’ personal information safe. This lack of security measures has resulted in major data breaches for several apps in recent years. For example, Grindr is facing a lawsuit in the U.K. for allegedly sharing users’ HIV status with third parties without consent. Additionally, apps often gather data about users that they are not aware they are sharing, including metadata from photos.
Researchers only gave one app, Lex, a passing grade for privacy. Happn and eharmony were described as neither good nor bad in terms of privacy protection. The rest of the apps received warning labels for their poor track records on protecting privacy, data control, and data use. The report also notes that only two companies, Match Group and Spark Network, own about half of the dating apps reviewed, leading to a significant amount of data sharing within those companies.
In response to these privacy concerns, the report offers three recommendations for dating app users. First, users should treat their profiles more like their LinkedIn profile, only sharing photos and details they are comfortable with being public. Second, connecting social media accounts to dating profiles should be avoided to limit the sharing of personal information. Lastly, users should limit app permissions, including access to location, address book, and camera roll. Overall, the report urges caution when using dating apps and highlights the importance of protecting personal data.
In conclusion, dating apps have come under scrutiny for their handling of user data, with many apps collecting and sharing personal information without users’ knowledge. The report from Mozilla emphasizes the need for increased privacy protection on dating apps, noting that many apps do not adequately secure users’ data. Recommendations for users include treating profiles with caution, avoiding social media connections, and limiting app permissions. With ongoing concerns about data breaches and the sharing of sensitive information, the report serves as a reminder for users to be vigilant when using dating apps.
