datarequest
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A date with my Tinder data
I was on Tinder for almost four years. I'm no longer single, but Tinder and its parent company, Match, still have data on me. I didn't delete my profile -- I didn't even think to -- so using GDPR to request what information they had on me was more exciting, or at least more personal, than doing so for other tech companies and services. On the dating apps, I swear I'd tried to keep it classy. I didn't succeed. According to other writers' requests, asking for your data from Tinder leads to varied results, but with FOI requests and GDPR a persistent issue for all tech companies, the dating app thankfully packages everything into a pretty easy to understand and navigable HTML file.
How a data request turned into a data breach
The process was smooth enough, with the right safeguards apparently in place. I emailed the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel to request personal data. Within 24 hours the company asked for a selfie of me holding an ID card and a piece of paper with the words "Coffee Meets Bagel" scrawled on it. Exactly one month later I received an email from Stephen Brandon, the company's data protection officer.
ACLU urges devs to safeguard users with anti-snooping measures
Apple recently announced that it was closing the loophole that allows authorities into iPhones via the charging and data port. The company said it wasn't trying to defy police, but rather deter criminals and spies who aren't bound by privacy laws. However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) believes that government requests for personal data still represents a significant security risk to users, and is launching a guide for software developers to help them make more informed decisions about protecting the integrity of software update channels.
