
Warning: *privacy not included with this product
Badoo
Available in 190 countries and 47 languages, Badoo is the world's most used dating app. Launched in 2006, Badoo now has nearly half a billion users, the majority found in Europe. Targeted at teens and young adults, this dating and hookup app requires users to verify their identity by logging in with a social media account like Facebook or by linking it directly to their phone number. It also required photo verification to use most features. Free users get access to most of the app's features like location-based matches, messaging, and seeing who visited your profile. Badoo even has a free "Lookalike" feature that allows users to upload a picture of their celebrity crush. Badoo then uses facial recognition AI to find people who look like that crush. Top celebrity crush searches included Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Donald Trump. Uhm.....really?
What could happen if something goes wrong?
Badoo's privacy policy states, "While we take reasonable precautions against possible security breaches of our website, member database and records no website or internet transmission is completely secure and we cannot guarantee that unauthorised access, hacking, data loss, or other breaches will never occur." This is a good reminder that, even though Badoo doesn't seem to have some of the terrible data and privacy protection practices of some other dating apps, they still ask you to give up a ton of personal information and don't guarantee that personal information will be protected. We also noticed their strong password game is pretty weak. We tried to log in with 12345. The app told us this is a very common password and asked us to add a letter. Upon adding only one lower case letter, we were in. Those aren't the worst password requirements we've ever seen. They aren't great either. Finally, Badoo asks users to connect their accounts to Facebook. If you do that they can then collect a ton of information on you, including your email, name, profile picture, date of birth, a list of your friends who also use the app, pages you have liked, location and photos. You may also show up on your friends’ Facebook apps as a Badoo user. Remember, when you connect a social media account like Facebook to Badoo, both Facebook and the Badoo now potentially collect more information together. That's why we recommend users don't link your dating app to Facebook. What's the worst that could happen on Badoo? Well, if you use a weak password to sign in and your buddy figures that password out they could say tell Badoo your celebrity crush lookalike is Donald Trump and then you could be shown matches for people who look like Donald Trump over and over on the app.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: N/A
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: N/A
App: Yes
Tracks location
Device: N/A
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
Yes
Phone
Yes
Third-party account
Yes
What data does the company collect?
Personal
Name (required), gender (required), date of birth (required), photo (min one required), country/city (required), education (optional), occupation (optional), relationship interest (required), description (optional), interests (optional), profile questions (optional), smoking (optional), sexuality (required), relationship (required), language (required), drinking (optional), political views and health status, provided to create a profile. Note: moderators do check messages.
Body related
Height (optional). For California residents, Badoo may collect biometric data, such as faceprints.
Social
If a user signs in using their Facebook profile, Badoo may collect data including their email address, name and profile picture, date of birth, a list of friends who also use the app, pages liked, location and photos in order to create and update the user’s Badoo profile. Users may also appear on their friends’ Facebook apps as a Badoo user
How does the company use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?
There are no known data breaches in the past two years. Badoo allegedly had a massive data breach in 2013.
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
The privacy policy language is relatively user-friendly. However, their privacy policy isn't totally clear on how they are sharing your data.
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
We were unable to determine if Badoo encrypts all relevant user data.
Strong password
We tried 12345 and then the app prompted us that this is a very common password and asked us to add a letter. Upon adding only one lower case letter, it allowed us to proceed.
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Badoo participates in a bug bounty program: https://hackerone.com/badoo/policy_versions?type=team&change=3647768
Privacy policy
Badoo states the following in its Privacy Policy: "While we take reasonable precautions against possible security breaches of our website, member database and records no website or internet transmission is completely secure and we cannot guarantee that unauthorised access, hacking, data loss, or other breaches will never occur"
Badoo uses facial recognition to suggest a partner that may look like a celebrity crush.
Is this AI untrustworthy?
What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?
Is the company transparent about how the AI works?
Does the user have control over the AI features?
Dive Deeper
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Badoo Uses Facial Recognition to Match You With Celeb LookalikesPC Magazine
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This Dating App’s Lookalikes Feature Is Actually Super CreepyGizmodo
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Love in the time of algorithms: would you let artificial intelligence choose your partner?The Conversation
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Dating Apps Will Be Better Matchmakers Thanks to AI, but will They Be Safer?Hacker Moon
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How Much Personal Data Can Dating Apps Access From Your Smartphone?Observer
Comments
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