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Наталя ХандусенкоHot News
6 January 2026, 13:18
2026-01-06
"Your intimate photos, private messages, and geolocation are less secure than a TikTok account." How safe are the most popular dating apps in Ukraine — study
In Ukraine, the security of user data in five of the most popular online dating apps was analyzed: Boo, Bumble, Kismia, PURE, and Tinder. While MFA is the basic standard even for subscribing to a recipe newsletter, none of these apps implemented even basic two-factor authentication on their platform. Here is a rating of dating apps by level of security.
In Ukraine, the security of user data in five of the most popular online dating apps was analyzed: Boo, Bumble, Kismia, PURE, and Tinder. While MFA is the basic standard even for subscribing to a recipe newsletter, none of these apps implemented even basic two-factor authentication on their platform. Here is a rating of dating apps by level of security.
About the research
The research was conducted by the all-Ukrainian toll-free digital security hotline Nadiyno.org.
The analysis was conducted based on 30 criteria in 7 key categories, which together cover three critical areas of security: technical data protection, user privacy, and interaction and content security. It was performed using an external user security assessment method based on international practices and taking into account the Ukrainian context.
Main findings of the study
Vulnerability testing conducted by digital security experts revealed the following issues:
two-factor authentication is not available in any of the five applications, which is the main protective tool against account hacking by attackers;
remote control over active sessions is absent in all five applications, which in the event of loss of the device will transfer access to the user's account to the attacker;
the ability to hide age and geolocation is a paid feature in three out of five applications, making personal data protection a privilege (Tinder, Bumble, and Kismia); information about the user's geolocation can be "purchased" in the Ukrainian application Kismia through a paid subscription;
Safety instructions are available in Ukrainian in only two of the five applications (Tinder and Kismia).
In addition, an important aspect of the study was the indicators of the collection and transfer of users' personal data to third parties.
For example, researchers found that the world-famous app Bumble requests access to 27 types of user data and transfers 12 of them to third parties — including geolocation. Despite Tinder's better overall performance, until recently the American app allowed users to track their location with an accuracy of 10-20 meters.
"Users often don't understand that 'free' apps make money by selling their data to advertisers. Interests, location, activity time, and behavioral patterns are a commodity," said Pavel Belousov, technical director and security expert at Nadiyno.org.
Rating of dating apps by level of safety
Only one of the five online dating apps studied received a “Reliable” rating, and that was the Ukrainian platform PURE.
This means that the service has systemic protection mechanisms. However, the researchers added: “This level does not correspond to 100 points and is not ‘ideal’, but in the current market it is the highest realistically achievable indicator.”
The American apps Tinder and Boo received a "Relatively Safe" rating. This means that these apps have security features, but not all risks have been taken into account.
Ukrainian Kismia and American Bumble, Kismia rated as “Unreliable.” The protection functions of the applications are partially or selectively implemented; the user must rely largely on his own vigilance.
The Nadiyno.org team emphasized that the shortcomings identified in the study pose risks not only to Ukrainians. Some of the problems are related to the global architecture of services and data processing policies, so the potential danger may affect users around the world.
In addition, the researchers noted that, despite the fourth year of full-scale war, a service of Russian origin — Mamba.ru — is still among the most popular dating apps in Ukraine.
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