Aging Safely Online: Unpacking Privacy & Security of Online Dating for Older Adults

Online dating is increasingly popular among older adults, yet their vulnerability to cyberattacks makes the sharing of personal information particularly risky. This study investigates the privacy and security of online dating applications with a focus on users aged 65 and older. To this aid, we conducted a security analysis of the topmost downloaded dating applications, reviewing their privacy policies and data collection practices. Our findings reveal that these apps collect extensive personal data, including sensitive information such as location, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, health status, and more. Our analysis also identified 61 dangerous permissions implemented by these apps that allow access to restricted data and functionalities, with location access, camera permissions, and third-party data sharing posing significant risks for older users. Through this work, our goal is to promote enhanced privacy protections and raise security awareness to ensure a safer online dating environment for this marginalized group.