75% of Dating Apps Fail at Security

How secure is your favorite dating app? According to a new study from the Business Digital Index, a staggering 75% of the 24 largest dating apps received a grade of D or F in cybersecurity—a mood-killer you didn’t swipe for.

Dating apps don’t just store your favorite selfies or witty first lines—they often hold deeply personal data: messages, orientation, even payment info. When security systems fail, the fallout can be devastating.

• In 2015, the Ashley Madison breach leaked data from over 30 million users, triggering broken relationships, blackmail, and even reports of suicides.
• AdultFriendFinder suffered one of history’s largest leaks in 2016—over 400 million accounts’ data exposed, including highly sensitive preferences.
• In 2018, weak encryption made it possible to reconstruct someone’s entire Tinder experience.
• Valentine's Day 2019: Coffee Meets Bagel lost 6 million user records to hackers, later sold on the dark web.
• By 2020, Zoosk was hoisted by the ShinyHunters, exposing up to 24 million records including income, political views, birthdates, and more.
• Even today, apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Grindr still show API vulnerabilities that let bad actors pinpoint users' locations.

Only two platforms—Bumble and EliteSingles—earned a “B” grade in the Business Digital Index report, with most others falling into the "high" or even "critical" risk categories. Hinge, Grindr, eHarmony, and Tinder scored “D,” while Christian Mingle, Match, and AdultFriendFinder landed “F.”

How the Security Was Tested

The Business Digital Index didn’t just hand out grades at random. Researchers conducted a structured security audit of each app, focusing on common weak points that hackers typically exploit. They carried out passive scans of publicly visible systems, no internal access was needed. Their review covered:

• Encryption strength: Were messages, personal details, and payment data properly encrypted, or left vulnerable to interception?
• Authentication methods: Did the apps rely on outdated login systems, or did they support stronger protections like two-factor authentication?
• API and server vulnerabilities: Many apps use APIs to deliver matches and updates—weak security here can expose location data or entire user profiles.
• Third-party integrations: “Login with Facebook” or other shortcuts were checked for unsafe data sharing that could create backdoors for hackers.
• Data exposure risk: Researchers scanned for evidence of weak privacy settings that might leave photos, messages, or personal details discoverable online.

Apps that showed multiple “critical” vulnerabilities—such as unencrypted transmissions or weak server protection—were marked down heavily. That’s why so many landed in the “D” or “F” range, while just a handful earned respectable scores.

Swipe Smart: Practical Safety Tips

This isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment. You're still in control if you click with trusted platforms and smart habits:

1. Use a dedicated email address for your dating apps—separating your dating profile from work or personal data limits exposure if a breach occurs.
2. Be mindful of your photos. Avoid using your most recognizable selfies—reverse image searches can often trace your dating profile back to your identity.
3. Ditch social login. “Login with Facebook/Google” might be convenient, but it also links your app data to your broader digital footprint. Use standalone credentials instead.
4. Turn off precise location sharing. You don’t want strangers pinpointing where you live, work, or hang out—disable GPS-based tracking when possible.

And here’s a security bonus: favoring apps that earned higher cybersecurity grades—like Bumble or EliteSingles—can give you more peace of mind when you swipe.

Remember, dating should be about connection, not compromise—so using these precautions helps protect your story, your selfies, and your strength.

Final Thoughts

Dating apps can open doors, but they also expose you to risks. With 75% failing basic cybersecurity tests, it's more important than ever to date thoughtfully.

By being strategic—choosing safer platforms, limiting what you share, and using smart account practices—you let connection thrive safely. Because the right match shouldn’t just feel good…it should keep you safe, too.