NBC News Investigates: Experts Warn Dating Apps May Pose National Security Risk

NBC ID: MAAAABMGSE | Production Unit: Nightly News | Media Type: Aired Show | Air Date(s): 01/14/2020 | Event Date(s): 01/15/2020

Transcript

Event Date(s): 01/15/2020 | Event Location(s): London, United Kingdom | Description: INT KEIR SIMMONS (00:15:28): Tonight, an alarming warning from national security officials about the personal information you put on your dating apps. EXT DAY MS: building INT CU: phone MAN (00:15:34): If there is an interest to see it, assume that somebody could see it. KEIR SIMMONS (00:15:39): Our investigation begins in Europe where transparency laws give us a window into just how much of your personal data is at risk. This is Victoria. (00:15:49): Been on a few dates? EXT DAY LONDON, ENGLAND Scrolling shot from Big Ben to driving cars VICTORIA (00:15:50): Yep. KEIR SIMMONS (00:15:51): An American who recently moved to London. Here, unlike in the U.S., European law requires dating apps to turn over data they keep on users if requested. We had three people living in Europe request their data. We found that Hinge collected a stunning two hundred and fifty pages of data on Victoria in less than six months. NBC News looked at these four dating apps and found they collected personal information, including everything from exact location data to sexual preference. Some collecting users’ chat messages, and Grindr collecting HIV status. MS: Victoria walking GFX: Grindr, Hinge, The League, Tinder GFX: turn over data if requested GFX: Hinge: two hundred and fifty pages of data in less than 6 months GFX: chat messages GFX: HIV status WOMAN (00:16:27): It’s made me rethink using the app. KEIR SIMMONS (00:16:29): John Demers is the assistant attorney general for National Security. (00:16:33): How long does that data live for? INT MS: Demers walking JOHN DEMERS (00:16:35): It could live forever. KEIR SIMMONS (00:16:37): Justice Department officials tell NBC News they are concerned about Grindr, the popular dating app for gay men. It’s owned by a Kunlun Tech, a Chinese gaming company. Sparking concerns the app’s data could be turned over to the Chinese government. (00:16:51): Do you have insight into how the Chinese government can obtain data from say a Chinese-owned app? EXT DAY MS: building GFX: Grindr INT CU: hand using a phone EXT DAY Scrolling shot of a building JOHN DEMERS (00:17:01): What we know is that Chinese law requires a Chinese company to share any information that it has with the Chinese government if it’s asked. KEIR SIMMONS (00:17:12): Bernardo Crestas (ph) used Grindr. BERNARDO CRESTAS (00:17:14): When you’re using it, it’s not something that you really think about, I guess, that it’s being tracked. KEIR SIMMONS (00:17:19): Now officials warned. The personal information you put on a dating app could be accessed and put you at risk. JOHN DEMERS (00:17:27): The information that is on a dating app is of great interest to a foreign country’s intelligence service. KEIR SIMMONS (00:17:35): You know that? JOHN DEMERS (00:17:36): We know that because it’s the type of data that they would want to paint a picture of your life. CU: hand using a phone STILLS Phone and wine glass (End VT) KEIR SIMMONS (00:17:42): Lester, California just passed a law, allowing residents to request their data, similar to that law in Europe. Meanwhile, we reached out to Grindr who told us the privacy and security of our users’ personal data is and will always be a core value for them.

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Credit:
NBC News Archives
Editorial #:
1276293257
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NBC News Archives Offline
Transmission date:
15 January, 2020
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Rights-ready
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Location:
London, United Kingdom
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NBC News Archives Offline
Object name:
MAAAABMGSE