Norwegian watchdog fines Grindr millions for data protection breach
Grindr is a popular dating app used by gay and bisexual men and transgender people
Norway's data protection agency has fined dating app Grindr 65 million kroner (7.2 million dollars) for breaching privacy rules, Datatilsynet said on Wednesday.
"Our conclusion is that Grindr has disclosed user data to third parties for behavioural advertisement without a legal basis," said Tobias Judin, head of the Norwegian Data Protection Authority’s international department, according to a statement.
The Norwegian Consumer Council filed a complaint against Grindr in 2020 together with the Vienna-based data protection organization Noyb.
The fine is the largest ever imposed by the Norwegian data regulator, even though it is lower than the 100 million kroner that the authority told Grindr about in January.
The fine was reduced after information provided on the company's size and financial situation, as well as changes, Datatilsynet said.
LGBTI dating app
Grindr is a popular dating app used by gay and bisexual men and transgender people.
The company has three weeks to appeal. Although the GDPR is an EU regulation, it applies to the entire European Economic Area EEA, so also includes Norway.