THE MOSCOW TIMES – June 4 – Tinder has denied sharing the personal data of its Russian users amid reports that it had been added to a registry of entities required to hand over such data to the authorities. Russia said on Monday it had added Tinder to a list of entities required to hand over user data and messages to law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Security Service (FSB) on demand. The move means that Tinder will be required to store users' metadata on servers inside Russia for at least six months as well as their text, audio or video messages. Tinder has agreed to be added to the Russian government’s database of information providers to comply with federal legislation. "However, this registration does not in any way imply the passing of any user or personal data to any Russian regulatory authority," said the Tinder spokesperson.
Month: June 2019
Lebanon’s Decision to Block Gay App Slammed by Amnesty
ALBAWABA – June 4 – Lebanon's decision to block Grindr was slammed on Wednesday by Amnesty International as "a deeply regressive step, and a blow" for the human rights of the local LGBTI community. The app was blocked following an order by the country's telecommunications ministry issued on Friday. A decades-old law in Lebanon punishes sexual relations "contrary to nature" with up to one year in prison.
Tinder Study: 1 in 5 LGBTQ People Come out on the Internet First
BUSINESS INSIDER – June 3 – According to a recent survey by Tinder, the LGBTQ community is more likely to come out online before formally coming out to friends or family. Tinder surveyed 1K LGBTQ users and asked them about their experiences coming out, being out, and having queer relationships.
Russian Authorities Ask Tinder to Hand Over User Data
INDEPENDENT.CO.UK – June 3 – On Monday, authorities confirmed that Tinder had been reclassified as an "information provider". Under Russia's controversial anti-terrorism legislation, that means that the tech company will now be required to store and hand over user data: encryption passwords, geolocation details, photo and video content. While Tinder currently encrypts messages, the company's own terms state that user data can be handed over on request from security services. Russia's security services want to make that process automatic. Tinder has yet to comment on the change, but may be blocked if it does not comply with the request. Two of the country's most popular sites – Mamba and Wamba – were added to the state information register in 2014. Badoo followed three years later.
Facebook Secret Crush Will Be Embarrassing Version of Tinder, Twitter Users Say
EASTON CALLER – June 2 – Social media users expressed their displeasure at Facebook's decision to launch Secret Crush, pointing out that a lot could go wrong. Those using Secret Crush will be able to select up to nine existing connections to express interest in. If two Facebook users appear on each other's Secret Crush list, it's a match. Facebook has insisted the feature won't result in unwanted attention. They said if your crush isn't on Facebook Dating, a crush will go undetected. If a person on a crush list opts into Facebook Dating, they will get a notification saying that someone has a crush on them.
Bumble to Hire Global Emissary
THRILLIST – June 1 – Bumble is looking to hire one lucky person to take off on an all-expenses paid year-long dating adventure around the world. It will involve a 12-month stint spent traveling to various parts of the world to "go on dates, make friends, and create professional connections" with other Bumble users. All the while, he or she will be documenting his/her experience for Bumble's various social media channels, conducting "research," and occasionally creating editorial content for the company. The position is open to anyone older than 18. To apply, they'll need to swipe in the Bumble app until they see a card about the job pop up, then swipe right on it (it'll be live through the application deadline of June 14).
The Questionable Science Behind DNA Testing Kits
WIRED.CO.UK – June 1 – A new wave of DNA-based products claim they can tell people what to eat (Nutria), what cosmetics to buy (SkinGenie), and what wine they'll like (Vinome). BabyGlimpse allows couples to upload their data and preview what their child might look like. DNA dating app Pheramor pairs users with prospective partners based on the content of their chromosomes. But scientists are doubtful about their accuracy. People may think they're getting their entire genome sequenced, but that's not usually the case. Instead of crunching through all 30M letters on 23 pairs of chromosomes, these tests look for a handful of common specific markers that vary between people, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). But one SNP on its own is not enough to have sweeping effects on what food people should be eating, or what wine they'll like.
Lunch Actually Launches Elite Dating Service
by Alanna Tan
See full article at Vulcan Post
A New Tinder Test Lets People Pay to Turn Read Receipts on For Specific Chats
THE VERGE – May 31 – Tinder is testing two features that might entice more people to pay for the dating app. The app is offering some subscribers the ability to pay to view read receipts on chats, as well as the opportunity to break the algorithm and push their profile to the top of people's potential match stacks.
Study: People Who Use Dating Apps Are More Likely to Have Eating Disorders
CNBC – May 31 – A Harvard study found that people who use dating apps are 3-16 x more likely to have an eating disorder than those who don't use the apps. Women were particularly vulnerable, with those who use apps such as Tinder and Coffee Meets Bagel having 2.3 to 26.9 times higher odds of using elevated "unhealthy weight control behaviors." That includes self-induced vomiting, fasting or using diet pills and laxatives, which are all symptoms of eating disorders.