Data Privacy and Dating Apps: Dangerous Implications for the LGBTQ+ Community

Dating apps that collect and share personal data pose a threat to LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ users alike.

By Hur-Ali Rizvi and Melinda Fern

Your favorite dating apps, whether you’re in the LGBTQ+ community or not, collect and share your personal information with third parties such as agencies and advertisers. Tinder, OkCupid, and Grindr share data with at least 135 third party companies.

Shared user data often becomes the foundation for advertising technology (adtech) and behavior profiling. This data fuels these tools and software allowing companies to analyze, curate, and deliver their online advertising content directly to their target market, sometimes across platforms. This strategy uses the company’s marketing budget in a more efficient and cost-effective way allowing them to consistently reach potential users, rather than delivering content broadly.

In a Mozilla report, they found that 21 popular dating apps, including the ones previously listed, were collecting unnecessary data from users and not protecting this data properly. The sensitive information these organizations collect often includes a user’s exact location, their sexual orientation, religious and political beliefs, drug use, and more.

With this amount of data collected and shared with third-party companies, these apps are at extreme risk of data breaches and hacks. In fact, in the past couple of years, Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, Facebook Dating, and even more reported breaches.

So why is this so dangerous for the LGBTQ+ Community?

Data breaches can be devastating for those who need their sexual orientation to remain confidential. If the privacy of someone’s personal data is threatened, or in some cases made public, the effects could potentially be life-threatening. People in the LGBTQ+ community might face a loss of friend and familial relationships, extreme mental distress, unemployment, and in some places, even persecution.

Dating is already such a personal and private matter regardless of your sexual orientation, but for the LGBTQ+ community, privacy takes on an elevated meaning in the social fabric of existing online. Especially on increasingly popular dating apps, data protection now plays a chief role in safeguarding the sexual orientation and gender identity information of users. It is critical that these applications have sufficient privacy controls to guarantee that personal data is never accidentally released and that people always have control over what information they choose to share.

The internet as a vital tool for queer populations

Even outside the realm of these platforms, the Internet is a vital tool for queer populations across the globe. From seeking support as they navigate the complex spectrum that is sexuality to looking for safe places to discuss their challenges and find community, people in the LGBTQ+ community continue to utilize online resources. Especially after facing discrimination in health care settings, they attempt to escape delays and denials of medically necessary care by turning to the web for information. As a result, they have established themselves as some of the core users of the Internet over the past few years. According to research cited in the LGBT Technology Partnership and Institute, 80% of LGBTQ+ respondents say that they participate in a social networking site compared to 58% of the general public.

Still, after being criminalized and alienated for years, people in the LGBTQ+ community are rarely a priority when it comes to user privacy and regulations. Over time, inadequate data securities and a lack of user protection converge to form a rather precarious digital landscape for the under-served group.

Progress

Some platforms do seem to be approaching user privacy with the right mindset. SCRUFF, an international dating app for gay men, ensures user safety by randomizing location data and sending alerts when traveling to countries with anti-LGBT laws. In addition, the application’s developers create internal advertising and analytics to avoid third party interaction and refrain from working with agencies that sell location data.

Additionally, organizations in some countries are taking a stand against the invasive tendencies of companies that collect and store data. Earlier this year the Norwegian Data Protection Authority fined Grindr $11.7 million for illegally sharing private, personal information with advertising companies. The shared information included data such as precise geographic location, user tracking without consent, and even HIV status.

Larger forces, including The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), are also seeking to address the lack of data privacy. By pushing for anonymized data and imposing regulations on every organization that interacts with people in the EU, the GDPR has been taking steps towards safe online experiences.

It is important to realize, however, that these changes predominantly occur in regions where higher standards of living already exist for the LGBTQ+ community. In countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is still punishable by death.

To expand digital protection and safety to queer populations around the world, the dating apps that stand at the forefront of data collection need to improve their privacy features. App developers that currently help store personal data could play a central role in advancing the interests of these at-risk groups.

humanID as a Solution

The LGBTQ+ and other minority communities would benefit immensely from anonymized online experiences and increased data privacy. humanID aims to foster a safer online environment through this very perspective.

humanID is a secure single-sign on platform alternative to logins like “login with Facebook.” By keeping users anonymous and not collecting data, signing in with humanID makes it impossible to link one’s online identity to their offline identity, allowing people to conceal their identity when imperative and proudly represent themselves in safe spaces. This solution provides the necessary protection that many people need.

humanID firmly believes that every human should have a voice regardless of their race, sex, national origin, disabilities, age, economic situation, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The online presence of users around the world should not be diminished or discriminated against based on their background; rather, it should be something that is strengthened and empowered. After all, the Internet is at its best when everyone is safe and everyone is heard.

What’s humanID?

humanID is a new anonymous online identity that blocks bots and social media manipulation. If you care about privacy and protecting free speech, consider supporting humanID at www.human-id.org, and follow us on Twitter & LinkedIn.

All opinions and views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of humanID.