Tinder’s AI Photo Selector Aims To Enhance Profiles But Raises Privacy Concerns Over Biometric Data Use.
Earlier this summer, Tinder unveiled Photo Selector, an AI tool designed to help users choose the best pictures for their dating app profiles. While this feature offers potential benefits in curating a more appealing profile, privacy experts have raised concerns about the risks associated with its use.
Photo Selector operates by utilizing facial recognition technology, which requires users to take a photo of themselves and grant Tinder access to their photo roll. By consenting to this feature, users also allow Tinder to access their biometric data, which consists of unique physical characteristics captured in selfies, and their on-device photos. This raises the question: What happens to this data once it is accessed?
The good news is that Tinder has implemented some privacy measures regarding this feature. As explained in the Photo Selector FAQ, the feature processes data entirely on the user's device, meaning it does not transfer photos to external or cloud storage. Regarding biometric data, Tinder states that it "doesn't collect, store, access, or otherwise receive any biometrics generated from your selfie video, profile photo, or photos on your camera roll. Instead, everything takes place entirely on your device, and all biometric data used as part of this feature is deleted from your device once you exit the feature."
Additionally, Tinder only collects the photos that users select for their profiles, not the entire photo roll, mitigating some privacy concerns.
However, Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), advises users to remain cautious when sharing sensitive data. While the deletion of biometric data after use helps reduce associated risks, Mir highlights the potential long-term implications of sharing such information. "You only have one face," Mir cautions, "You don't want your face print to wind up in a server permanently and be used against you in another context."
The option to share biometric data with Tinder is currently opt-in and consent-driven, allowing users to decide whether they want to use this feature. The EFF strongly supports such privacy protections in the private sector, advocating for the collection of data to be limited to its intended purpose and for users to retain the ability to withdraw consent at any time.
Concerns have also been raised about Tinder's collection of metadata or telemetry data, which are not explicitly addressed in its Privacy Policy. Metadata refers to "data about the data," such as the number of photos on someone's camera roll, while telemetry data pertains to the app's operational processes. A Tinder spokesperson clarified that the app does not collect telemetry data related to the Photo Selector tool. However, it does collect "limited analytics data," such as the time taken for the tool to suggest photos and the number of photos recommended.
Mir further warns against the normalization of sharing biometric data, advising people to avoid features like Tinder's Photo Selector and photo verification that require video selfies.
Another concern raised is the lack of information on whether Tinder trains its Photo Selector AI using user photos. Ron De Jesus, a field chief privacy officer at privacy tech platform Transcend and former privacy program manager at Tinder, noted the absence of details in Tinder's FAQ about the AI's training process.
While Tinder's Photo Selector tool offers a convenient way to enhance dating profiles, users must weigh the potential privacy risks associated with sharing biometric data. Being informed and cautious can help users navigate the complexities of data sharing in the digital age.