Dating apps cracked

Grindr's parent company issued a vague statement that it was working with other software vendors to improve their platform, and in doing so may have disclosed users' statuses, but reiterated that "Grindr is a public forum" and encouraged people to "carefully consider what information to include in your profile." Essentially, they went with the "Eh, everyone's doing it" argument. After all, anyone who types anything into an app is offering their information voluntarily, and doesn't have to be straight up asked whether it's OK if the company shares that information with anyone else. Even if said information includes sensitive stuff like "There's a feared virus in my body."

And in a way, they're not wrong. Apps do do this all the time. But that's ... exactly why it's so worrisome? Apps sharing data with third-party vendors has become so incredibly normalized and baked into the profitability of app-making itself that individual people's HIV statuses being shared with software developers is no more alarming to companies than Facebook serving up HAIM concert ads to people who clicked on HAIM.

We're only a couple of data leaks away from shirts like that saying "Don't mess with someone with DEBILITATING CHLAMYDIA."

The counterargument: "So don't use them!" GREAT point. Why are you using dating apps, anyway? Because traditional dating has glaring limitations and technology offers up numerous advantages in our ever-growing pursuit of human connection? PSHHH. Why should there be ANY middle ground between "Never use any technology to improve your life" and "You just have to accept that companies are gonna sell your attraction to dominant daddies (which you haven't even figured out about yourself yet) to random advertisers?"

As of now, that middle ground doesn't really exist. So be careful out there! Remember that your location and everything you ever do is constantly being recorded. Now get out there and un-self-consciously flirt!

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For more, check out 5 Apps That Have Rampant Discrimination Built In and 5 Popular Apps You Didn't Know Were Messing With Your Head.

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