Closets of queer data: what do you expect from LGBTQ+ dating apps

[ UUID ] 6fc44fea-4cec-413e-81f5-dfe27565c0cc

[ Session Name ] Closets of queer data: what do you expect from LGBTQ+ dating apps [ Primary Space ] Queering MozFest [ Secondary Space ] Privacy and Security

[ Submitter's Name ] Dennys Antonialli [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] InternetLab

[ Other Facilitator 1's Name ] Thiago Oliva

What will happen in your session?

Like most of the free services on the internet, dating apps specifically designed for LGBTQ+ people collect data about their users, such as their geolocation, pictures, health data (like HIV status) and private communications. This session will be an interactive workshop to address issues of privacy and safety. We will ask participants to share what privacy and safety expectations they have when using these apps (do you expect your nudes are encrypted? what can be done with your HIV status information?, etc.). We will then group these expectations into clusters and compare them with the actual privacy policies of the most popular dating apps. We will finish with a brainstorming session about best practices for queer privacy and safety.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

Main goals and outcomes are (i) to map the specific privacy and safety expectations and concerns from LGBTQ+ people when using dating apps; (ii) to present data assessing their current privacy policies and standard practices; (iii) to raise awareness about queer privacy; (iv) brainstorm about specific best practices for these apps; and (v) think of strategies to engage with the technical community and the companies to promote this agenda.

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

We will need a projector to share slides with information about the privacy policies of LGBTQ+ dating apps, post-its and a flip chart.

Time needed

60 mins