Warning: *Privacy Not Included with this product
HER is a dating app targeted at lesbian, bisexual, and queer people. Launched in 2013 and then rebranded in 2015 as HER, this dating app claims to have over 13 million "sapphic folks" as users. Cool! The app works with the swipe left/swipe right dating app format and is free to sign up. Users who choose not to upgrade to premium can get access to most of the app's features with some limits. That means viewing profiles, swiping, chatting, and getting access to community groups and events. HER Premium Gold unlocks an ad-free experience, more search filters, incognito mode, and more. Users who splash out on a Platinum subscription get unlimited swipes, read receipts and a free Thirst Mode credit every month! So, how is Her at privacy and security? Well, not too bad, but not perfect either.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
If we were grading on a bell curve, we'd consider Her to be pretty good at privacy -- reading through Her's privacy policy isn't too bad. But since we're not grading on a curve, we have to warn that this app for the sapphic folks out there might come with *Privacy Not Included. That's because we couldn't confirm whether Her meets our Minimum Security Standards. We're not sure if the app uses encryption and whether the company has a way to manage security vulnerabilities. That's a concern! So even though Her's privacy policy isn't as bad as many other dating apps we reviewed, we just can't recommend Her (insert "that's what she said" joke here).
It's a shame we can't confirm that Her meets what we consider the bare minimum security-wise, because that means the personal information collected by the app couple be more vulnerable to a breach or hack. And like most dating apps, Her can collect a decent amount of personal information about you -- like your gender, sexual orientation, dating preferences, photos, and anything else you include in your dating profile. Her's privacy policy does say you can use an alias if you like and that providing personal information is optional. That's cool! Hopefully that's just as clear in the app as it is in the privacy policy.
The good news about Her is that they don't sell or share your personal data in ways that worry us too much. They also give all users the right to access and delete their data. That's great! We'd love to see that more often. The bad news is, they do still use some of your personal information to serve you ads through their app. Boo. Oh, and one small warning -- we don't recommend you sign in to this app -- or any app, really -- using social media, like with your Instagram account. If you do, both apps can potentially exchange information about you. And the last thing you need is for Meta to know more about you or your dating preferences.
What could go wrong with Her? Someone could discover and take advantage of a security vulnerability that lets them hack into your account. Then, they could reactivate premium on your behalf and use Thirst Mode to kick off an endless frenzy of swipes and likes -- leaving you short on cash and buried in adoring messages from gals that might not be your type.
Tips to protect yourself
- Visit the app's privacy preferences at the app and opt out from personalized advertising as well as all non-essential data collection.
- Request your data be deleted once you stop using the app. Simply deleting an app from your device usually does not erase your personal data nor does close your account.
- Do not give consent to constant geolocation tracking by the app. Better provide geolocation 'only when using the app'.
- Do not share sensitive data through the app.
- Do not give access to your photos and video or camera.
- Do not log in using third-party accounts.
- Do not connect to any third party via the app, or at least make sure that a third party employs decent privacy practices.
- Do not give consent for sharing of personal data for marketing and advertisement.
- Chose a strong password! You may use a password control tool like 1Password, KeePass etc.
- Do not use social media plug-ins.
- Use your device privacy controls to limit access to your personal information via app (do not give access to your camera, microphone, images, location unless necessary).
- Keep your app regularly updated.
- Limit ad tracking via your device (eg on iPhone go to Privacy -> Advertising -> Limit ad tracking) and biggest ad networks (for Google, go to Google account and turn off ad personalization).
- When starting a sign-up, do not agree to tracking of your data if possible.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: N/A
App: No
Microphone
Device: N/A
App: No
Tracks location
Device: N/A
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
No
Phone
Yes
Third-party account
Yes
Instagram, Apple and Google sign-up available
What data does the company collect?
Personal
"Phone number, email, AppleID, name, birthdate, location; Optional: name, photos, bio, gender, sexual orientation, dating preferences."
Body related
Social
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?
No known data breaches discovered in the last three years.
Child Privacy Information
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
We cannot determine if this product has encryption at rest and in transit.
Strong password
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Privacy policy
Dive Deeper
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Lesbian dating app HER tells all transphobic users to delete their accountsPinkNews
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