**Tinder’s AI-Driven Photo Selector Sparks Privacy Worries**
Last summer, Tinder rolled out **Photo Selector**, a tool powered by AI aimed at assisting users in selecting the most suitable images for their dating profiles. While the feature intends to improve the user experience, privacy advocates express concerns over potential risks.
### **Functionality of Photo Selector**
The tool works by evaluating a selfie with facial recognition technology and accessing a user’s image library. When a user opts in, Tinder acquires access to their biometric data—distinct physical characteristics captured in the selfie—as well as their stored images. But what becomes of this data?
### **Tinder’s Management of Biometric and Image Data**
Some privacy measures are implemented. As outlined in Tinder’s [Photo Selector FAQ](https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/21276850679693-Photo-Selector), the feature operates solely on the user’s device, thus preventing photos from being uploaded to external servers or cloud storage.
Tinder further clarifies that it does not collect, retain, or access biometric data from the selfie video, profile images, or camera library. Once the feature is exited, all biometric data is erased from the device. Furthermore, Tinder only gathers the images users choose to upload to their profiles, instead of scanning their entire photo library.
Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), recognizes that the deletion of biometric data after usage mitigates risks. Nonetheless, they advise that users remain cautious when disclosing sensitive information.
*”You have only one face,”* Mir stated. *”You wouldn’t want your facial print to be permanently stored on a server and potentially used against you in another setting.”*
Currently, sharing biometric data via Tinder is an optional feature. The EFF promotes robust privacy measures, including user consent, restricted data collection for designated purposes, and the capacity to withdraw consent at any moment.
Mir also voiced concerns regarding whether Tinder collects **metadata** (like the quantity of images on a user’s camera roll) or **telemetry information** (data concerning the app’s functionality). Tinder’s [Privacy Policy](https://policies.tinder.com/privacy/intl/en/) does not clearly address this.
A Tinder spokesperson informed *Mashable* that the company does not gather telemetry data from the Photo Selector tool. Nevertheless, it does collect **limited analytical data**, such as the duration the tool takes to suggest images and the number of images recommended.
Another issue raised by Mir is the **normalization of sharing biometric data**. They urged users to refrain from sharing biometrics when possible, which implies opting out of features like Photo Selector and [Tinder’s photo verification](https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/4422771431309-How-Does-Photo-Verification-Work), which also depends on video selfies.
### **Is Tinder Utilizing User Photos for AI Training?**
Ron De Jesus, chief privacy officer at privacy technology firm Transcend and a former privacy program manager at Tinder, highlighted that Tinder’s FAQ does not clarify whether user photos contribute to AI training.
*”There’s no indication of how users’ personal data might be utilized to improve or train the AI behind the Photo Selector tool,”* De Jesus remarked to *Mashable*.
In a time when major tech firms like [Meta have been discovered leveraging user data to train AI models](https://mashable.com/article/meta-using-posts-train-ai-opt-out), apprehensions about the use of personal data are increasing.
However, Tinder assured *Mashable* that user photos are **not** employed to train Photo Selector or its foundational algorithms. Instead, the tool depends on Tinder’s proprietary algorithms to generate recommendations.
### **Privacy Challenges in the Dating App Arena**
This assurance is crucial, especially considering the extensive personal data exchanged on dating platforms. In the past, apps like [Bumble and Hinge needed to resolve security issues](https://mashable.com/article/bumble-hinge-other-dating-apps-had-to-fix-privacy-risk-paper-says) that compromised user location data.
De Jesus stressed that dating apps bear a **significant obligation** to safeguard user information due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle. At present, Tinder seems to be taking measures to reduce privacy risks linked to Photo Selector.
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**UPDATE: Aug. 7, 2024, 2:11 p.m. EDT** – This article has been modified to rectify the former title of Ron De Jesus at Tinder.