FTC Charges Match and OkCupid for Sharing User Data with Third Parties

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated action against OkCupid and its parent company, Match Group Americas. The charges allege that OkCupid misled users regarding its data-sharing practices. Specifically, the app purportedly shared personal information, including photos and location data, with an unauthorized third party.

FTC Allegations Against OkCupid

The FTC claims that OkCupid violated privacy promises made to its users. The dating app, operated by Humor Rainbow, Inc., shared sensitive user data without proper disclosure. According to the complaint, OkCupid gave access to nearly three million user photos and additional information to a third party, disregarding its own privacy policy.

Details of the Violation

• OkCupid stated it wouldn’t share personal information without user consent or in compliance with its privacy policy.
• The third party obtained large datasets due to a financial relationship with OkCupid’s founders.
• OkCupid allegedly concealed the data-sharing practices, even obstructing the FTC’s investigation.

FTC’s Response and Settlement Terms

In response to these findings, the FTC has put forward a settlement that aims to enforce stricter compliance with privacy promises. OkCupid and Match Group will be permanently prohibited from misleading users about:

• The collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of personal information.
• The purposes for which such personal data is handled.
• The privacy controls available to users through their interface.

Legal Proceedings

The FTC filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, specifically in Dallas. The vote authorizing the legal action was unanimous, reflecting a strong intent to protect consumer privacy. Lead attorneys for this case, Sarah Choi and Alejandro Rosenberg, emphasize that protecting user data is a priority for the Commission.

This case highlights the importance of transparency in data privacy commitments within the digital landscape, reinforcing the FTC’s role in consumer protection.