Cybersecurity

Grindr security flaws could expose user location data: NBC News

Key Points
  • The creator of a third-party platform discovered two security flaws with gay dating app Grindr that could expose the information of more than 3 million daily users, according to NBC News.
  • These flaws could expose users' locations, even if they chose not to share that data on their profiles.
  • This isn't the first time issues with Grindr's security have been found.
The 'Grindr' app logo is seen amongst other dating apps on a mobile phone screen.
Getty Images

The gay dating app Grindr has security flaws that could expose the locations of its more than 3 million daily users even if they choose not to share that data on their profiles, according to a report by NBC News.

Trever Faden found the issues after creating a third-party website that allows users to discover who has blocked them on the app.

Faden told NBC that once users entered their Grindr usernames and passwords into his website, he was able to access data that is not public on Grindr profiles. He also discovered a separate security flaw that could expose location data sent to company servers.

Grindr said in a statement to NBC that it is aware of the issues and that it has fixed the system to prevent access to information on accounts that opted out of sharing their location.

Representatives for Grindr did not return a call from CNBC requesting comment.