If you have been using several dating apps, be aware that the United States National Security released a list of dating apps that sells its users' information.
Under their investigation, most popular dating apps like Grindr and Tinder are selling out personal information to third parties without you knowing about it.
Are dating apps safe?
Dating apps have been one of the most downloaded apps in the past decade.
They generated a lot of audiences that forces companies to make their own version of dating apps on the app store. Tinder, OkCupid, and Grindr are three of the major dating apps available around the world. Even the social media giant, Facebook, also has its version of the matchmaking program.
However, with its rising popularity, have you ever felt 'unsafe' on using these apps?
The United States National Security says you must so.
According to the special report from NBC News, there's a vast amount of personal information that is being compromised when someone uses any dating apps.
From your exact location to your health status, dating apps generally give out personal information to anyone willing to pay for it, it noted.
John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security at the Department of Justice, explained that dating apps pose a threat to anyone's security that uses it.
"There's a lot of information there in the app that you're voluntarily turning over," he said. "Some of it you know you're doing, some of it maybe you don't realize."
Which dating app is the most unsafe?
Grindr, a popular dating app for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders, has been widely reaching out to a lot of LGBTQ + communities all over the world.
In 2019, this dating app had already catered an over 3 million users on over 192 countries that they are currently available.
Though the success of Grindr seemed to be unstoppable, the U.S. National Security warns its users to be careful about using the app as this dating app was allegedly selling its users' personal information to third parties for advertisements.
More than this, what the U.S. National Security worries most about is the fact that Grindr was developed by a Chinese company named Kunlun Tech.
"Chinese law requires a Chinese company to share any information that it has with the Chinese government if it's asked for that information for national security reasons," Demers explained.
Once you open Grindr, the app will automatically identify your gender preference. Some reports claim the app will even ask users about their HIV status and other confidential health information.
What other dating apps have security warning?
Grindr already explained their side on this issue by saying that they "utilize privacy by design framework and their privacy policy details how Grindr uses their customers' data that it receives and the options available to users."
"These, along with other safeguards, help our users safely and securely connect and thrive, and demonstrate our respect for user privacy," the statement emailed to NBC News read.
Aside from Grindr, several dating apps were also mentioned on the U.S. National Security warning.
Tinder, for example, collects sexual preference, messages, the user's phone number, exact location, sent messages, job, and Spotify playlists.
Hinge also collects sexual preference, messages, exact location, messages, race, and drug use. Meanwhile, The League collects sexual preference, exact location, race, and job information.
So, are you sure you're still looking for a date online?
