LOVE-SEEKING singles should be wary of dating apps like Tinder and Grindr spying on their communications and sharing personal details, security experts say.
An uptick in dating app usage during the pandemic has heightened fears about the amount of information such apps could be compiling from users.
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Tinder and Grindr did not immediately return requests for comment about security concerns on Tuesday.
Security firm Check Point Software recently warned users to be careful about the information they share with strangers on dating apps.
The firm cautioned that cybercriminals can use such apps to prey upon singles’ vulnerabilities in an effort to spread malware through attachment files, according to Back End News.
Gary Gardiner, Check Point’s head of Security Engineering, APAC & Japan, said: “Millions of people use dating apps or websites to meet new friends and, who knows, with any luck, find their life partner.
“They are very convenient for users, as they allow them to make contact quickly, easily, and from anywhere. However, they do not go unnoticed by cybercriminals, who take advantage of these platforms and the confidential information they contain when looking for potential victims to scam.”
In August, anti-virus provider Kaspersky Lab warned that WhatsApp, Tinder, Bumble and Hinge users could be targeted by so-called “romance scammers’ seeking to steal their private information.
Security experts said people are at risk of having their bank accounts and personal details hacked if they follow links to fake sites or enter their information on questionnaires.
The new scams include surveys asking people about their experiences with WhatsApp and chain-mail messages.
Others may be sent fake invites to chat with “beautiful strangers” which is then used to glean private information.
Scammers are also said to be creating fake profiles on dating sites.
A Kaspersky report read: “In messenger-based spam, we continued to observe common tricks to get users to part with a small amount of money.”
Dating apps aren’t the only ones provoking security concerns, according to Tech Times.
The outlet highlighted a number of other social platforms to watch out for, including WhatsApp, Instagram, DoorDash and Facebook.
Earlier this month, cyber-security experts urged users to delete Facebook’s Messenger app ahead of a big change.
The tech giant has plans to make Messenger end-to-end encrypted, but this has created fears that child abuse could go undetected on the platform which is linked to Facebook profiles with age identifying features.
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