Security expert says 42.5m dating app users’ details have been exposed online (and still are)

0
Dating Apps Data Breach

According to Security Discovery, if you’ve been a user of the CougarDating, Mingler, Fwbs, ChristianFinder or TS dating apps, your details may be one of the 42.5 million records discovered in the latest dating site-related breach.

According to Security Discover, if you have downloaded and used any of the following dating apps, CougarDating, Mingler, Fwbs, ChristianFinder and TS, you may be one of the 42.5 million people who’ve been subject to a data breach.

On May 25, Senior Security Researcher from Security Discovery, Jeremiah Fowler, discovered an open database on Indonesian-based ElasticSearch that listed people’s usernames, ages, locations and even IP addresses. He also stated that a sample showed targeted users were mostly based in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, and that this data was still publicly accessible.

Even though there appears to be no direct personally identifiable information (PII) leaked, founder of Have I Been Pwned, Troy Hunt, told SEXTECHGUIDE that the “IP [address] may be considered personally identifiable and usernames (particularly very unique ones), certainly can be.” He explained that the leakage of this data could result in the identification of its owner.

Fowler confirms that nearly each unique username he checked appeared on multiple dating sites, forums and other public places. This could expose user’s sexual preferences and infidelities, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks, such as online scamming and hacking.

Using Whois Domain tools, most of these apps were found to be registered to fake addresses and telephone numbers, with one even registered to a Metro station in China.

elastic search

Hunt explains that “unfortunately, this incident just joins many others where there have been serious breaches of adult websites with potentially serious privacy ramifications.”

Furthermore, given that the UK will be collecting even more personal data with the upcoming porn-based Age Verification law on July 15, it is more important than ever to question who we are giving our data to, and and what safeguards organizations have in place.

Read More: Dev criticized for porn facial recognition algorithm says it was actually built by an ‘0ldsch00l hacker’

Affiliate Disclosure
Some articles contain affiliate links that allow us to earn money if you decide to purchase any of these products or services. This does not cost you any extra, and it allows us to continue to run this independent website without ads. Affiliate links have no relation to review ratings or other editorial coverage. You can read the full policy here.

Oli Lipski
Oli Lipski

Oli is a freelance sex tech researcher based in London. With an MA in Sexual Dissidence, researching sex tech, and a BA in History, researching gender and sexuality, she has a keen understanding of the past, present and future of sex. In addition to SEXTECHGUIDE, you can find Oli's work on titles such as shado-mag, QueerMajority, UnicornZine and more.

Be the first to leave a comment
Leave a reply

Want more?
Facebook
X / Twitter
YouTube
Reddit
Mastodon
Black Friday 2023 is coming. Don't miss the VR dealsvibe offersstroker specialsAI discounts
Comparisons and Guides
Best VR Porn Sites
Best Gay & Trans VR Porn Sites
Best AI Porn Generators
Best AI Girlfriend Apps
Best XXX Cam Sites
Best Chromecast Porn Sites
Best Porn Apps
Best iPhone Porn Sites
Sound-responsive Vibrators
OnlyFans Alternatives
Best Toys for People with Disabilities
Best Mini Vibrators
SEXTECHGUIDE® is a trading name of BBT Media Limited. Copyright © 2016 - 2023. All Rights Reserved. BBT Media Limited is registered in England and Wales with the company number 10288724. Address: 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE.
SEXTECHGUIDE
LATEST
Comparisons and Guides
Best VR Porn Sites
Best Gay & Trans VR Porn Sites
Best AI Porn Generators
Best AI Girlfriend Apps
Best XXX Cam Sites
Best Chromecast Porn Sites
Best Porn Apps
Best iPhone Porn Sites
Sound-responsive Vibrators
OnlyFans Alternatives
Best Toys for People with Disabilities
Best Mini Vibrators