The Mozilla Foundation, which has been investigating dating applications since 2021, is sounding the alarm about the security of the personal data of users looking for love.
The protection of our personal data has become a priority, whether it concerns administrations, services, sites or applications, as well as their users. Too many victims of phishing following the theft of their personal data.
And if there is one area that is fond of it, it is that of dating applications. It is rather logical, in order to find love, that single people reveal as many details as possible about their private life. But how is all this sometimes very sensitive data used by these sites? What are their obligations in terms of protecting user data? And the GDPR, in all this? So many questions that the Mozilla Foundation asked itself by sifting through 25 of the most used dating applications. And the least we can say is that our personal data is more exposed “ than ever “.
There ” Privacy not included ”, attributed to most dating apps, endangers users’ security and privacy
The conclusion is clear. Of the 25 dating apps she tested, 22 received the red flag. Privacy not included » developed by the Mozilla Foundation to guide users through their purchases and consumption of products and services on the Internet. Clearly, these applications thus stamped do not guarantee you, in their CGU, to protect your personal data.
But that’s not all that worries the Mozilla Foundation, which draws up a non-exhaustive list of all the details of your private life that most of these sites which promise you to find love ask of singles.
For example, we can cite religious opinion, ethnic origin, political beliefs, but also sexual orientation, including more sensitive information on your state of health, such as your weight and your HIV status. And, on top of that, biometric information for those who want their status to be trusted by the application and therefore by other users. Of course, as the Mozilla Foundation points out, many applications, including Tinder, indicate that this information, such as geolocation, is optional and requires your consent, but if you refuse, users will not be able to use the service.
The foundation also mentions the sale or sharing of your data to third-party applications, most often without your knowledge and for advertising purposes, like Grindr in 2021, which had to pay a fine of 11 .7 million euros for engaging in this practice, or else use data which is godsend for these sites, such as the metadata of your photos or videos, or even the content of your chats. Finally, the arrival of AI and chatbots in the landscape of dating applications questions the foundation, particularly regarding their reliability and their compliance with the GDPR.
How to protect your personal data on dating apps
A sad picture, therefore, that the Mozilla foundation paints. But if these applications border on correctional when it comes to the protection of your personal data, they at least have the merit of existing and of giving a little balm to the hearts of lonely souls who despair of finding their alter ego. This is why she gives 3 pieces of advice to all those who are desperately looking for love, in complete safety. Keep in mind that your profile can be seen by anyone, and therefore potentially malicious people. Only display information that you think is useful to reach your target right in the heart. Avoid logging into these apps through third-party accounts, like your social networks. Interaction is often conducive to sharing data that you thought was confidential. Finally, stay in control of the permissions you give to these applications from your mobile settings. Your photos, contacts or location may not be useful to others, and may put you and your data at risk.
Clubic amends this advice and, in addition to helping you protect your digital identity and your personal data, recommends in particular that you use a nickname, at least initially, when you communicate with what remains a stranger on a dating site. Do not give any details that could allow them to identify or geolocate you. In the same way, the physical meeting can wait for a few video calls or chat sessions, so that trust can be established. When it takes place, make sure you choose a busy public place and have informed your loved ones. Finally, this type of application can quickly become addictive, if only to check your interactions. Stay in control of the love game by limiting your screen time, turning off notifications when you go to bed or at work, and setting a specific time slot for using the app. After all, don’t they say that it is possible to love always, but not all the time?
Source : Mozilla Foundation
2