Privacy

Heads up, Internet privacy advocates: a new report released in June warns the 7+ million members of OkCupid that the site is "a privacy heartbreak waiting to happen."

Since being acquired by Match.com last year, OkCupid's service terms allow the site to share user data with more than 50 websites owned by Match's parent company, IAC/InterActive Corp., and with IAC partners. The site may even archive data after users have closed their accounts or deleted information from their profiles.

Sarah Downey gives a detailed rundown of OkCupid's privacy weaknesses in the report:

• OkCupid does not support HTTPS, a standard web encryption that ensures secure browsing by sending and receiving information in an encrypted form. Without HTTPS, information appears as plain text. With HTTPS, information looks like random characters. The lack of HTTPS on OkCupid means that anyone on your wireless network could potentially read things like emails, profile info, and the answers to your hidden questions on the site.
• OkCupid uses nine different tracking companies and ad networks to obtain information about its visitors. None are part of OkCupid - all are independent third parties mining user data, like pages visited and time spent viewing a specific profile. The FTC requires dating sites to inform members about how their data will be used, but that information is often hidden deep within confusing terms of use or privacy policies.
• OkCupid can keep your data forever. The site's privacy policy states that it collects OkCupid users' "personal interests, gender, age, education, occupation and certain relationship preferences. . . name, email and photo," along with their browser and IP address. It also says that OkCupid "may keep such information archived indefinitely." But on the bright side, you can email OkCupid at privacy@okcupid.com to request that your information not be shared with others.
• Match's takeover of OkCupid means even more data sharing. Match's parent company owns sites like CitySearch.com, CollegeHumor.com, and Vimeo.com, and IAC's privacy policy allows it to share information freely between the companies it owns. "In other words," Downey writes, "your OkCupid data can be shared freely among the 6th largest online network in the world. Not very private."

So what can you do to protect your data online? "Think twice before posting any content on OkCupid or any other dating website," Downey says. "Even if you delete it later, it may be archived permanently." Use a browser add-on to block trackers and ad networks. Use an alias and an anonymous email addresses. And only provide information that is absolutely necessary - if it's optional, don't fill it in.

For more information on this dating site you can check out our OkCupid review.

Most of us are on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or some form of social media. Maybe you even have a blog. Whatever the case, it seems these days we all have an online persona as well as an in-person one. And sometimes, you don't want these worlds to meet - (or at least you don't want your boss to discover you're secretly complaining about your job in 140 characters or less). So how do you manage all of these identities when you're dating?

If you blog or tweet about your awful dates, what happens if you meet someone you like? Do you tell him about your blog or propensity to share these intimate details, wait a few weeks to see if the relationship goes anywhere, or do you erase all links to your real-life self and hope he doesn't stumble across it?

And if you're not so inclined to blog or tweet about your dates, are there some Facebook posts or pictures you'd rather not admit to - like when your friend tagged you one embarrassingly drunken night out? Or when you posted a rant on your ex's wall?

Chances are there are some things you don't want on display for someone you're just meeting. But if you want to keep them private, it may be harder than you think - especially when it comes to dating. With the help of Google, Facebook, and a little sloothing, your date could discover some of your well-hidden secrets. And if they are doing their due diligence, they will.

Before you panic, there are some definite steps you can take to make sure your online persona comes off as swimmingly as your real-life one does when you meet in person:

Adjust your Facebook privacy settings. This is a really easy fix. Don't assume your information is private because you haven't changed any settings recently and Facebook wouldn't dare make your information public. There have been some adjustments on Facebook's part over the last few months to make information more accessible unless you say no, so be sure to check your settings often and make sure you have your privacy settings as high as possible.

Protect your tweets. It is possible to have separate Twitter accounts - one for work and one for your private life. Just make sure you never mix them up! (I had a friend who did this and almost lost her job.) If you want to use your real name, then protect your tweets so only followers can see them. Otherwise, I suggest changing your handle (or name) so that you're more anonymous.

Don't friend or follow anyone you just met. This means don't exchange Facebook names so you can "friend" each other as a way to get in contact. Do you want the new girl you're interested in to see your picture with another girl, or read your fringe political viewpoints? Keep social media out of the picture until you've been dating a few weeks (or months)! Otherwise you could be misunderstood.

Own up to your past. If you have something online that might be a red flag to potential dates, it's best to disclose it upfront. A friend of mine started dating someone only to find out he had a website with another woman - announcing their engagement! Even though the two were broken up by the time he met my friend, she couldn't get past her initial shock that he hadn't mentioned it. So the relationship never got off the ground.

Bottom line? Pay attention to your digital trail, and know how you come across.

For more information on how to use social networks for dating, you can check out our Facebook review and our Twitter review.

The Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, Jennifer Stoddart, has launched an investigation into an online dating site. While this is a Canadian probe it does not mean it is a Canadian owned and operated dating site, it could be a dating site that offers services in Canada. This is the first time the Privacy Commissioner has investigated a dating service, but they have investigated social networking sites before. Facebook was investigated last year (see Story) and was found to be in violation of Canadian privacy laws.

The unnamed dating site is being investigated on how it handles members profile information once the membership has been deactivated. This was the same reason Facebook was under investigation. A complaint filed 6 months ago prompted the investigation of the dating site. The privacy issue was not resolved through mediation with the company and the Privacy's Commissioners office, so an official investigation was started. More news about this case will be released soon.

Logging into Facebook last week, I was greeted with a Facebook Privacy Announcement:

We're making some changes to give you more control of your information and help you stay connected. We've simplified the Privacy page and added the ability to set privacy on everything you share, from status updates to photos. At the same time, we're helping everyone find and connect with each other by keeping some information—like your name and profile picture—publicly available.

I knew this update was coming and am excited about it since it gives you more control over who can and cannot see your Facebook information. This includes the following fields in your profile; About Me, Family, Photos, Email Addresses Religious and Political Views.

Combining these new privacy controls with Friend Lists allows you to specify who can see most of your information. I have already setup my account with the following Friend lists; Co-Workers, Friends, Buddies and Family. This way when I add photos, post on my wall, etc... only the people I want to share the information with, get to see it. I think the photo album privacy settings are especially important. A picture tells a thousand words and I have to wonder why some people post those drinking and partying pictures for all to see. These always makes a great first impression with a potential employer, NOT.

This change is also important for dating on Facebook. Most singles I know like to keep their day to day dating information pretty private. They probably only want to share this information and comments with a few close friends. With this new update they now can.

The real problem now is, Facebook just has to make the Friend lists and Privacy controls easier to use. The tools are there but it can take a while to figure out. This is not a problem with a Facebook Junkie who is on the site everyday, but it is not easy for the general person who may not be tech savvy, or is only on the site once every couple of weeks.

If you are interested in using Facebook for dating, check out our Facebook Dating category which lists the popular Dating Apps currently available.

Privacy is a concern of many people venturing into the world of online dating. This is especially true for people with high profile careers. Is there a way to find love without sending the wrong message to the rest of the world? (And isn't it sad that our society mandates asking that question?)

Before becoming a writer, I taught high school. I was always worried about students, both current and former, finding my match.com profile and outing me to the world. It never happened. (I was also terrified of running into students at the local adult store, but luckily, that never happened either.)

There was a big hullabaloo in Charlotte, North Carolina last school year when several teachers were disciplined (and one fired) for material they published to their Facebook profiles. While Facebook offers certain privacy settings, by default, they are not on. It's up to you to control who sees your profile, and these teachers let it all hang out. The morality clause of the teaching contract was brought up and everyone scorned these individuals for their actions. Ironically, the things they were doing online weren't any more horrible than things people in other professions post to Facebook every day.

Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart released a report last Thursday regarding a complaint filed last year against Facebook, by the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC). The complaint is in regards to privacy and personal information about Facebooks members, in which the report found that Facebook keeps indefinitely, even after an account is closed. This and other privacy shortfalls (including third party access via Facebook Applications to users personal data) will need to be fixed or Facebook may be facing legal troubles.

Facebook released a statement which said that new privacy features are being introduce soon, to remedy any concerns people may have. In 30 days Stoddart will review any actions by Facebook. If she finds that they are not making any progress on her recommendations, then, by using Canadian federal privacy laws under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), she may take the case to the Federal Court of Canada for enforcement.

This potential case may also raise privacy red flags in other countries, which I am sure Facebook does not want.

I bet a few dating sites will also be watching this story closely to see what Facebook does and how the Privacy Commissioner reacts. Most dating sites as far as I know keep users information for a long time as well (see Story).

For more on the story read Yahoo News, and here is the report of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner's findings.