Did Tinder Violate EU Data Protection Laws?

EU lawmaker Marc Tarabella thinks so and is calling for the European Commission to investigate the online dating platform for collecting the personal data of its users without explicit consent, Reuters reported on Wednesday (Aug. 3).

According to a statement from Tarabella, Tinder breaches the EU’s rules when it comes to data protection because it encourages its users to agree to unclear clauses concerning how their personal data will be used, even once their accounts with the dating app are closed.

“Once you subscribe, the company can do whatever it wants with your data. It can show them, distribute them to whomever or even modify them. The lack of transparency cannot be the rule,” Tarabella said.

A spokeswoman from the European Commission told Reuters that national authorities are responsible for enforcing the EU’s rules pertaining to data and consumer protection.

“The problem is always the lack of transparency and the notion of consent,” Tarabella explained. He noted that oftentimes companies will sell the data of their consumers to third parties without receiving consent to do so or ensuring consumers know what’s happening to their data.

The EU data reform was officially passed into law last December, with the expectation that the new rules will provide citizens with more control over the collection and management of their digital information.

The EU Data Protection Reform is said to establish fundamental rights for citizens, modern guidelines and rules for businesses and benefits for companies of all sizes.

“These new pan-European rules are good for citizens and good for businesses. Citizens and businesses will profit from clear rules that are fit for the digital age, that give strong protection and, at the same time, create opportunities and encourage innovation in a European Digital Single Market,” Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Věra Jourová explained last year.

“And harmonized data protection rules for police and criminal justice authorities will ease law enforcement cooperation between Member States based on mutual trust, contributing to the European Agenda for Security,” Jourová added.