A detailed research in Norway raises a number of questions about the specific ways that recognition applications use to violate the privacy of users in Europe and the United States.

Recognition apps like Grindr, OkCupid and Tinder, referenced in a study done by the Norwegian Consumer Council, turn out to be misusing the data to distribute it to various companies for marketing gains without users' knowledge.

Grindr, the most popular gay dating app in the world, transmitted all user data about sexual orientation to various companies.

Norwegian researchers point out that the situation is out of control and consumers are being exploited. Their report, titled "Out of Control: How Consumers Are Used by the Internet Advertising Industry", states that data is given to businesses, which is prohibited.

European Union regulators are pushing for the implementation of data protection law, which prohibits companies from collecting personal information on religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual life and other sensitive topics without the consent of the person.

Source: New York Times