The data was collected through ad networks, The Wall Street Journal reports. The information, including location data, has been for sale since at least 2017. Also “historical” data may still be available, anonymous sources tell the American newspaper. Grindr says in a response that the app changed its policy two years ago, so that location data is no longer passed to ad networks. Although no personal data has been leaked, according to the newspaper, location data can also cause problems. Location data made it possible to find out where Grindr users lived and worked. In addition, if phones are close to each other for an extended period of time, it can be assumed that the owners were dating. The privacy concerns are particularly sensitive to Grindr because homosexuality and bisexuality are banned in many countries. The consequences can also be severe in countries where homosexuality is not prohibited. People who are not openly gay can be blackmailed with the information. Last year, the Norwegian privacy watchdog fined Grindr 65 million Norwegian krone (more than 6.3 million euros) for illegally providing data to advertising agencies.
