USA TODAY – June 14 – This month, Russia's telecoms regulator, the Roskomnadzor, added Tinder to a list of websites and apps that it forces to store user data, messages and pictures on government-accessible Russian servers. The agency can then offer that data up to law enforcement and intelligence services on demand. If Tinder agrees to provide this information, its users in Russia will have no meaningful sense of privacy on the app. This data collection policy puts Tinder's commitments in conflict. On one hand, users agree to a privacy policy that states that Tinder can share their information to "comply with a legal process." On the other, the company has a commitment to its users and stakeholders. Its privacy web page directly says Tinder does not "compromise with your privacy." Sharing data with the Russian government would seriously endanger Tinder's LGBTQ user base. In 2013, the federal government in Moscow passed legislation broadly banning gay "propaganda" directed at minors. In practice, this law has shut down LGBTQ health education and support services, contributed to a rise in homophobic violence and silenced LGBTQ rights organizations.
by Rachel Altman
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