TL;DR: Apps assume the user knows they are sharing data. They leak app usage info and sensitive data like sexual orientation and enable one to pinpoint a user’s location. People who don’t value privacy risk becoming phishing or identity theft victims.            

Dating apps have become the go-to option for people looking for a partner or just a date. When users create a profile, they enter personal data, sometimes a lot of it. The interactions are such that people tend to share personal info with virtual strangers. Apps often indicate a user’s location or the distance between them and a potential match. While some information is shared intentionally, other details become known without the owner’s consent.

A team of researchers with KU Leuven examined 15 popular location-based dating platforms in 2024 and discovered risks such as exact locations and sensitive data leaks. The team examined Tinder, Badoo, Bumble, Grindr, and other top apps in Google Play. They analyzed user data based on app use data, sensitive data, and personal data. This data included names, ages, phone numbers, addresses, nationalities, religious and political views, alcohol use, sexual orientation, the last time they used the app, how many likes they got, etc. 

Some of this information is visible or even mandatory in the apps, while other details are supposed to stay hidden. The apps assume users know they are sharing certain data. However, the platforms are linked to the internet, and the volume of data shared is frequently more than most users think. 

All of the apps leaked data 

The researchers found that every single one of the 15 apps leaked some user data. Their collective internet traffic leaked use data and sensitive data like sexual orientation. By altering the data traffic, the team could access users’ age and gender preferences. Six apps also leaked detailed location info that made it possible to pinpoint a user’s location.

An ill-meant individual can uncover this data, often very easily. Imagine your iPhone is stolen, and the thief gets access to your dating apps or someone’s looking over your shoulder as you swipe and chat. It’s not a pleasant thought, and it’s an even less pleasant reality. To hide dating apps on your iPhone, go to the Home Screen, find the app you want to conceal, and touch and hold the icon until you see the quick actions menu. Tap Require Passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID. Then, tap Hide and Require Passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, authenticate using your selected ID, and finally, Hide App.

You don’t need to have your phone stolen

When personal data is uncovered, the owner becomes vulnerable to phishing or identity theft. In 2024, the Mozilla Foundation reported that 88% of the dating apps they reviewed did not offer sufficient privacy. About 25% collected metadata from the user’s content, such as information about when and where a video or photo was taken. Almost two-thirds (64%) of the apps’ privacy policies mention “inferences” about users, usually to target the user with additional services or ads. 80% of dating apps can sell or share users’ personal information for advertising purposes. Brokers got their hands on location data from Grindr and sold it to a Catholic group to monitor their clergy members. 

FAQ 

How can you protect your privacy on dating apps?

Provide as little personal information as possible on your dating profile. Some apps offer the option to use only a first name or even a nickname. 

Are dating apps for professionals safer than general-purpose ones?

Many professional dating apps underscore security and privacy to protect users who may hold sensitive or prominent positions. Some platforms require detailed applications and integrate with LinkedIn to confirm personal and job-related data. In contrast, general-purpose platforms often have few entry barriers and tend not to ask for verification.

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