Report: Grindr hacked, user info and photos exposed
Fri. January 20, 2012 2:01 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Grindr, the popular hook-up smartphone app has been hacked according to a report by Gawker. The app reportedly offers no security.
The Australian hacker found security loopholes that allowed him to log in as another user. From there he was apparently able to access that person's pictures, change that person's profile picture, and send other users messages masquerading as that person.
According to the report, the hacker was posting users' information on a website that has since been taken down.
Gawker quotes an Internet security who says the app, which is developed by Nearby Buddy Finder and available on the iPhone and Android operating system, offers no security.
The security problem with Grindr also applies to, Blendr, the companies app for horny straight people.
Grindr owner and founder Joel Simkhai is aware of the security problems and is working on a "patch" to the app. He hopes to have an update in the next few days.
"There's nothing more important to me than our users — we owe our success to our Grindr community who have helped spread the word about their great experiences. Your security and the security of our platform is a core priority." Simkhai said in a statement. "As a result of Grindr's ongoing investigation, we took legal and technological actions to block a site that violated our terms of service. This site impacted a small number of primarily Australian Grindr users and it remains shut down."
The Australian hacker found security loopholes that allowed him to log in as another user. From there he was apparently able to access that person's pictures, change that person's profile picture, and send other users messages masquerading as that person.
According to the report, the hacker was posting users' information on a website that has since been taken down.
Gawker quotes an Internet security who says the app, which is developed by Nearby Buddy Finder and available on the iPhone and Android operating system, offers no security.
The security problem with Grindr also applies to, Blendr, the companies app for horny straight people.
Grindr owner and founder Joel Simkhai is aware of the security problems and is working on a "patch" to the app. He hopes to have an update in the next few days.
"There's nothing more important to me than our users — we owe our success to our Grindr community who have helped spread the word about their great experiences. Your security and the security of our platform is a core priority." Simkhai said in a statement. "As a result of Grindr's ongoing investigation, we took legal and technological actions to block a site that violated our terms of service. This site impacted a small number of primarily Australian Grindr users and it remains shut down."