Consumer Alert: How private is your dating app data?

A new report found that dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid and Grindr sometimes share personal information with advertisers.

News 12 Staff

Jan 17, 2020, 8:13 PM

Updated 1,554 days ago

Share:

A new report found that dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid and Grindr sometimes share personal information with advertisers. 
The information up for grabs includes sexual orientation, religious beliefs and whether the user would ever use drugs, according to the report from the Norwegian Consumer Council.
“People who are on the dating app obviously are going to know that you’re a man looking for a man or a woman looking for a man or whatever you’re looking for,” said Ed Mierzwinski from the Public Interest Research Group. “But hey, why does the app then share it with hundreds, or dozens, if not hundreds, of other advertising companies?”
According to the report, that information can be shared with several other companies, which could then sell that information to other companies, acting as a chain reaction from just downloading one app.
And while the makers of OkCupid, Tinder and Grindr all say that their privacy policies are stated, Merzwinski believes that some information just shouldn’t be shared.
“It multiplies how many people are getting your information, how many people know everything about you, even information you only wanted your prospective dating partner or you doctor to know,” Mierzwinski said.
Considering this report, the Public Interest Research Group and eight other consumer groups are asking Congress to pass a law prohibiting companies from sharing or selling any user information without their explicit consent.
 


More from News 12
1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

2:19
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12