Does Tinder know how Ohio people will vote? See how dating apps track your political views
Just when you thought your phone couldn’t terrorize you any more than it already does, new data suggests that it can predict the future.
Not really, but some of the apps and websites you use every day can predict who you will vote for on Election Day.
A recent study by Incogni, a personal data removal company, has uncovered some eye-opening facts about how much information dating and social apps collect about us. And it’s about as invasive as it gets.
How do apps become political fortune-tellers?
It all comes down to the massive amount of data they gather. We’re talking about everything from your location and search history to your social connections and even the content of your messages.
You may think since you’ve never outright told Tinder your political views you’re immune to the the info-gathering, but you aren’t. These clever apps use something called “inferred data” to make educated guesses about your political leanings.
The apps are data detectives
These apps are like digital detectives, piecing together clues from your online behavior. They look at things like:
News sources you follow
Content you engage with
Location and the political climate there
Social connections and their political views
By analyzing all this information, they can create a pretty accurate picture of where you stand politically.
Who are the biggest players in the data game?
According to the study, some of the top data gatherers include:
Facebook Dating
Tinder
Bumble
Grindr
These apps collect a whopping 52 data points on average about their users. That’s a lot of digital breadcrumbs you’re leaving behind.
Why Should We Care?
You might be thinking that this tidbit of information won’t really affect you in the long run, but you’d be very wrong.
There are a few reasons why this matters, warns Ohio University:
Privacy concerns: This raises questions about how much personal information is actually private.
Targeted advertising: This can be used to show you political ads tailored to your views, potentially influencing your opinions or voting behavior.
Data breaches: If this sensitive information falls into the wrong hands, it could be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
Protecting your digital self
How can you keep your political views (and other personal info) a bit more under wraps?
Here are a few tips provided by the U.S. Government Accountability Office:
Be intentional about what you share online and omit private information
Review and update your privacy settings on apps
Use apps that prioritize privacy
Understand seemingly unrelated information can be used to infer your political views
Remember, folks, in today’s digital age, your smartphone might know you better than you think. So the next time you’re swiping right, just keep in mind that you might be revealing more than just your interest in a potential date.