Researchers from Belgian university KU Leuven revealed in a recent study that they successfully identified the precise location of users on certain popular dating apps. Their findings were published in a study titled “Swipe Left for Identity Theft.”
The researchers were able to pinpoint the location of users on six out of 15 location-based dating apps, which assist in connecting users with potential matches nearby.
By utilizing trilateration, the researchers were able to determine the user’s location by forming a triangle or circle around them and calculating distances.
The study identified apps like Badoo, Grindr, happn, Bumble, Hinge, and Hilly as the ones where the researchers could precisely locate users.
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These apps heavily rely on GPS data to match users in close proximity, posing potential risks of data leaks, as pointed out by the researchers.
The researchers emphasized the importance of safeguarding users’ personal data due to the possibility of physical stalking, assaults, and in extreme cases, crimes against the app users. They called for stricter protection measures to prevent inadvertent data leaks.
While popular apps like Tinder, POF, and OKCupid did not reveal the exact user locations, the researchers warned about potential leaks of sensitive information such as health and racial background through these platforms.
“The apps’ privacy policies generally fail to inform users about these privacy threats and leave the burden of protecting personal (sensitive) data to the users,” noted the researchers. They urged dating app providers to reassess their data collection practices, secure their APIs to prevent leaks, avoid location inference, and grant users control over their data for enhanced privacy protection.
