Privacy Group Accuses TikTok of Tracking Grindr Activity via Third-Party App Tracker
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
VIENNA — Dec 17, 2025 A European privacy advocacy group has filed formal complaints against TikTok, Grindr, and mobile analytics firm AppsFlyer, alleging the companies illegally tracked users across apps without consent, potentially exposing sensitive personal data in violation of European Union privacy laws.
The complaints were lodged with Austria’s data protection authority by None of Your Business (noyb), a Vienna-based organization known for high-profile cases enforcing the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Summary
- Privacy group noyb accuses TikTok and Grindr of unlawful cross-app tracking
- Complaint alleges sensitive data was shared without user consent
- TikTok allegedly used the data for advertising and analytics
- Regulators urged to impose fines and halt the practice
Allegations of Cross-App Tracking Without Consent
According to noyb, TikTok monitored a user’s activity on Grindr, a popular LGBTQ+ dating app, through data provided by AppsFlyer, a third-party mobile marketing and analytics firm.
The group alleges that this tracking occurred without explicit user consent, breaching GDPR rules that restrict how companies can collect and process personal data — particularly information deemed sensitive.
Noyb said the user became aware of the data sharing after submitting a formal data-access request, which revealed that TikTok had collected information about the person’s use of other apps, including Grindr and LinkedIn, as well as data related to items added to an online shopping cart.
Sensitive Data and GDPR Concerns
GDPR provides enhanced protection for sensitive personal data, including information related to sexual orientation, which could expose individuals to discrimination or harm if misused.
Noyb said TikTok only disclosed the scope of the data collection after repeated inquiries, raising concerns about a failure to meet GDPR’s transparency requirements.
The advocacy group claims that neither Grindr nor AppsFlyer had a valid legal basis to share such data with TikTok.
Data Used for Advertising and Analytics, Group Says
According to noyb, TikTok indicated that the data was used for purposes including personalised advertising, analytics, and security.
The group argues that these uses do not justify the collection and transfer of sensitive information without clear and informed consent from users.
TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, along with Grindr and AppsFlyer, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Past Regulatory Scrutiny
The complaint comes amid ongoing scrutiny of TikTok’s data practices in Europe. In May, Irish regulators fined the company €530 million over concerns related to the transfer of European user data to China.
Grindr is also facing legal pressure in the United Kingdom, where it is the subject of a mass lawsuit alleging that users’ HIV status was shared with third parties without consent between 2018 and 2020.
Noyb has urged Austrian regulators to impose fines and require the companies to stop any unlawful data tracking practices.
