US-Based Grindr is a location-based social networking and online dating application for queer people.
According to Reuter’s reports, Norway’s Data Protection Authority said on Tuesday it plans to fine Grindr 100 million Norwegian crowns ($11.7 million) for what the regulator said was illegal disclosure of user data to advertising firms.
“Our preliminary conclusion is that the breaches are very severe,” the Norwegian agency said in a statement announcing what it said was a record fine corresponding to around 10% of Grindr’s estimated global annual revenue.
The agency has given the app till 15th February to respond to these claims. After this, the Data Protection Authority will make its final decision in the case.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the European Union and the European Economic Area. The GDPR also sets rules for a few countries outside of the EU, including Norway.
The Norwegian Consumer Council (NCC), a watchdog, said in a January 2020 report that Grindr shared detailed user data with third parties involved in advertising and profiling, such as a user’s IP address, advertising ID, GPS location, age, and gender.
In such cases, this can become a physical threat to users, since the name, age, location of the users are all exposed. The NCC has encouraged this decision as a victory for privacy.
