Dater Protection Act − Tinder comes under GDPR investigation
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched an investigation into Tinder surrounding possible data protection infringements.
The DPC − which is taking the lead due to Match Group’s Irish HQ − cites “possible systematic data protection issues” and says it has received complaints surrounding Tinder’s treatment of data.
Related: How to download all the data Google has collected about you
A post from the organisation outlined the reasons for the investigation in more detail, though exact details of what Tinder has − or has not − done are unclear at this point.
One excerpt from the DPC statement reads:
“Since the GDPR came into effect, the Data Protection Commission has been actively monitoring complaints … The identified issues pertain to MTCH Technology Services Limited’s ongoing processing of users’ personal data with regard to its processing activities in relation to the Tinder platform, the transparency surrounding the ongoing processing, and the company’s compliance with its obligations with regard to data subject right’s requests.”
This has the potential to be concerning news for Tinder users, as the app can collect quite a lot of data on its users. One Guardian report, from way back in 2017, found that the app had amassed 800 pages of information on the journalist in question.
If you want to find out what data Tinder, or any similar app, has amassed on you − you can! Any Tinder user in Europe can request their data from app, thanks to EU data protection laws.
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The DPC has simultaneously launched a separate investigation into Google’s data practices (the company also has a European HQ in Ireland). Both companies could be fined up to 4% of their global annual turnover if they are found to have contravened data laws by the DPC’s investigation.
A Match Group spokesperson told Trusted Reviews: “Transparency and protecting our users’ personal data is of utmost importance to us. We are fully cooperating with the Data Protection Commission, and will continue to abide by GDPR and all applicable laws.”
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
