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Dating App News

Trilateration Concerns in Popular Dating Apps Revealed

Security Flaw In Dating Apps Exposes User Locations, Risking Privacy. Apps Respond With Fixes To Protect Sensitive Data.

In a significant discovery, researchers at Belgium's KU Leuven University have identified a security loophole in popular dating apps that could compromise user safety. The loophole, termed "oracle trilateration," affects apps like Bumble, Hinge, Grindr, Happn, Badoo, and Hily, allowing malicious actors to pinpoint a user's exact location to within two meters. This technique leverages the app's displayed location and moves incrementally in three directions until the profile is out of range, revealing the user's precise whereabouts.


Trilateration is a method commonly used in navigation systems to determine exact locations by calculating the intersection of three distance points. The implications of such a flaw in dating apps are profound, given the sensitive nature of the information involved. Karel Dhondt, a researcher from the study, highlighted the heightened risks associated with privacy leaks in the dating context, where emotions and feelings are deeply involved. "If people are hurt, they may want to hurt back. That's why it's important that people's privacy and safety are well-maintained by these apps," Dhondt stated.


The study also uncovered that all 15 dating apps analyzed had some form of API (Application Programming Interface) leak. These leaks could potentially expose users' personal data, including likes and preferences, to attackers. Such vulnerabilities highlight the pressing need for robust security measures in dating apps.


In response to the findings, many of the affected apps have taken steps to address the issue. For instance, they have rounded the displayed coordinates to three decimal places, reducing location precision. Grindr, a popular app among the LGBTQ+ community, limits location sharing to 111 meters. Kelly Peterson Miranda, Grindr's Chief Privacy Officer, explained that the app's location-sharing practices are deliberate to foster connections within the community. However, this practice could be dangerous in regions where homosexuality is illegal, emphasizing the need for users to control their location information carefully.


As dating apps continue to play a crucial role in modern social interactions, ensuring user privacy and safety remains a top priority. Developers must remain vigilant in identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities to protect their users effectively.



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