The months of October through February are just just just what some news outlets are calling “cuffing season,” an interval whenever individuals reportedly experience greater fascination with intimate relationships. In 2020—likely as a result of the pandemic—dating that is COVID-19 have reported also greater online engagement than in past years. Whether driven by the colder weather, social distancing, or vacation nature, there isn’t any question that a substantial section of this year’s “cuffing season” will require destination on smartphone apps—and U.S. privacy legislation needs to be willing to continue.
A Tinder-box situation: the privacy risks of internet dating
Also prior to the pandemic, the portion of U.S. grownups whom meet people online has significantly increased in present years—and a lot of this development may be related to the rise of smartphone apps that are dating Tinder, Grindr, OKCupid, Hinge, and Bumble. Based on the Pew Research Center, around 30% of United states grownups had tried internet dating in 2019—including 52% of the who’d never ever been married—compared to simply 13per cent in 2013. A 2017 Stanford study also discovered that 39% of United states heterosexual couples had met online—a more commonly-cited way than conventional options such as for instance introduction with a shared acquaintance. Continue reading »