Hackers Expose User Data of Japan’s Most Popular Dating App 

Omiai Dating App Homepage

One of Japan’s leading dating apps Omiai reported that it had been hacked, exposing the personal data of over 1.7 million of its users in one of the country’s most high-profile security breaches.

According to Bloomberg, some of the data leaked was especially sensitive, including photo IDs from driver’s licenses, insurance cards and passports that are used to verify users’ ages. Credit card data was not exposed, according to the company, but it’s unclear how many accounts were accessed.

The app’s developer Net Marketing Co said that after discovering the breach, it blocked the hacker’s IP address and implemented a number of other security procedures to safeguard user data, according to Gizmodo. Still, Japanese markets responded unfavorably to the news with the company’s stock falling 19 percent. Since Net Marketing Co went public in 2017, this has been the biggest drop in share price for the $70 million company. 

Omiai is a matchmaking app (the word itself means “matchmaking” in Japanese), and has a total of 6.8 million accounts as of April this year. Omiai’s revenue model is to charge men for monthly subscriptions while making it free for women to join in an effort to attract more women to the platform. The app also partners with municipalities across the country to host local matchmaking events, something that has been particularly appealing to the singles market in Japan. 

Online dating is a growing business overall in Japan, with the matchmaking market more than doubling in size over the past four years, according to reports. It’s expected to grow another 70 percent by 2025 according to a study by CyberAgent Inc.

Other dating app companies are starting to notice Japan’s growing interest in online dating, too. Match Group, which owns popular apps Tinder, OkCupid and Hinge has invested heavily in the market to grow its business, including hiring a regional executive to oversee efforts.

Omiai is not the first dating app to get hacked. Ashley Madison, a dating app for people already in relationships, was hacked in 2015, exposing the personal information of 37 million of its users. And earlier this year, MeetMindful was hacked, exposing the personal data of almost 2.3 million of its users. Also notably, a vulnerability in Bumble’s platform potentially exposed the data of 100 million of its users, including highly personal information like location, weight, and height.

Security firms advise dating app users to protect themselves by changing passwords, and not using the same ones across multiple accounts. Also, it’s a good idea to check any credit or debit cards tied to the account to make sure there isn’t any fraudulent activity taking place. If you are worried you’ve been exposed, it is also good to get a credit report.