Popular dating apps introduce tighter data security measures in response to KU Leuven research
Dating apps have become an essential tool for people who are looking for a date or partner. When users create a profile, they enter a lot of personal data which they share with people who are still strangers at that point. Apps often give an indication of your location or the distance between you and your potential match. Some information you share intentionally. But other data you share without wanting to. This data can often easily be uncovered by someone with bad intentions and some knowledge of IT. Researchers from KU Leuven's DistriNet research unit examined the fifteen most popular location-based dating apps (LBD). They discovered various safety risks, including leaks of sensitive data and exact user locations. They presented their findings to the app developers and most of them have made efforts towards better user data protection.
Location-based dating apps (LBD) allow users to get to know more people in their area. Users can scroll or swipe through profiles, and, based on the personal data people share, decide whether they want to get to know the person behind the profile. Users share a lot of personal and sensitive information with the app to allow the algorithm to predict good matches. But how safe is your personal data on the app? And are you always aware of what you share with others?
The personal and sensitive data we were able to uncover using simple methods are seen as very valuable by people with bad intentions.
Victor Le Pochat, computer scientist at KU Leuven
