Tinder use by military personnel poses security threat
Sensitive military locations and personnel movements have been exposed through Tinder, raising concerns about national security, according to an investigation by Follow the Money (FTM). The investigation revealed that military personnel using the dating app were identifiable and traceable by location, exposing their routines and confidential data.
Using three fake profiles, FTM tracked hundreds of military personnel stationed in the Netherlands and across Europe, including those at NATO bases and high-security locations. The investigation uncovered sensitive information such as names, roles, addresses, and travel patterns.
By strategically placing fake accounts near military installations, FTM was able to identify and follow users active on the app. This included personnel from the Dutch Royal Air Force stationed at Ämari Air Base in Estonia, where Dutch F-35 fighter jets are deployed for NATO air policing missions.
FTM tracked artillery soldiers during exercises in Germany and identified a security officer at Volkel Air Base, home to nuclear weapons. They also monitored a Canadian diplomat’s travels from London through Germany, Poland, and Ukraine, using location data gleaned from Tinder.
“We found that even without matches, we could gather detailed location updates on these individuals every time they used the app,” the report stated. “This information could then be combined with public records to identify addresses, professional roles, and other personal details.”
Experts have warned for years about the potential misuse of dating apps by foreign intelligence agencies, including honey trap operations where agents pose as attractive individuals to elicit sensitive information.
FTM highlighted the dangers of Tinder’s location-tracking features, which allowed them to pinpoint users’ locations with surprising accuracy. By continuously shifting their fake accounts' locations, investigators could map personnel movements over time.
Among those tracked were soldiers from various branches of the Dutch military, marines, air force pilots, and NATO personnel. Examples included marines tracked from Den Helder to Scotland and Norway, and air force personnel followed to Volkel Air Base.
In December, two Dutch F-35s stationed at Ämari Air Base intercepted unidentified Russian aircraft approaching NATO airspace. The mission underscored the strategic importance of maintaining secrecy around troop locations and deployments. Yet, FTM noted that soldiers involved in this mission were also traceable on Tinder.
One of the fake profiles, named Naomi, followed two Dutch soldiers stationed at Ämari Air Base. She identified their home bases as Volkel and Leeuwarden, both hosting F-35 squadrons. Through their Tinder profiles, Naomi gathered information about their hobbies, travel preferences, and other personal details.
Global intelligence agencies, including the Dutch AIVD, have repeatedly warned about the risks of social media and apps with geolocation features. In 2023, the German military security service reported that Russian spies were using Tinder to target military personnel for classified information about the war in Ukraine. Similarly, Australian and U.S. authorities have issued warnings about espionage risks linked to dating apps.
“These apps create an unprecedented opportunity for foreign agents to approach and exploit their targets,” the report noted. “Tinder’s lax location security only amplifies this risk.”
