When it comes to online dating, the potential risks that come to mind are usually catfishing, being a murder victim, or wasting time on odd and dull matches. However, what never occurred to me is the threat to U.S. national security posed by Grindr and its Chinese owner, Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd. The company has been preparing for an IPO but is now considering a direct buyer instead.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has notified Kunlun that its ownership of Grindr poses a national security risk. Kunlun acquired Grindr, which is considered the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, in 2018. The app boasted a daily user count of 3.8 million in that year. Similar to other dating apps, users provide access to sensitive data, including their address. However, Grindr’s data is particularly sensitive due to the inclusion of details such as HIV status and the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals around the world.
In the past, a developer was able to exploit Grindr’s API to access unread messages, email addresses, deleted photos, and even the location information of other users who had blocked them. It is this sensitive data that likely concerns CFIUS, although details of the investigation have not been disclosed. Reuters reports that “the United States has been increasingly scrutinizing app developers over the safety of personal data they handle, especially if some of it involves U.S. military or intelligence personnel.” Over the past few years, CFIUS has blocked two app-related sales to Chinese companies, MoneyGram International Inc. and AppLovin, due to security concerns.
Earlier this year, Grindr shut down INTO, an online LGBTQ magazine that it had created. This decision came after the president of Grindr, Scott Chen, made some homophobic remarks on Facebook. He wrote, “Some think marriage is between a man and a woman. I think so, too, but it’s a personal matter.”
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