A recent data leak involving popular iOS dating apps has raised concerns about user privacy. Researchers from Cybernews discovered that five dating apps, all developed by M.A.D Mobile Apps Developers Limited, had leaked sensitive information, including photos of users.
The affected apps include BDSM People, Brish, Chica, Pink, and Translate. The leak exposed over 1.5 million photos, including private images sent through direct messaging and profile pictures. This includes photos removed for rule violations, as well as those uploaded by users to verify their profiles.
According to Paulina Okunytė, the leaked secrets gave access to user photos stored in Google Cloud Storage buckets without passwords set up. The breach allowed hackers to view 541,000 images sent or uploaded by users on BDSM People alone.
The data leak also affected other apps, including Chica, where over 94,000 profile photos were exposed. Pink and Translate, widely used within the LGBTQ+ community, also fell victim to the leak.
Apple and M.A.D Mobile Apps Developers Limited have not yet commented on the incident. The company’s reliance on iOS platforms makes it particularly concerning, given that iPhone users typically expect greater security and privacy than other smartphone users.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/03/27/iphone-users-warned-as-dating-apps-leak-sensitive-photos-messages