The Illusion of Privacy: Geolocation Risks in Modern Dating Apps

This report analyzes privacy vulnerabilities in the Hornet dating app that allow an attacker to infer precise user coordinates by estimating distances and using trilateration. Through controlled experiments the researchers show meter-level geolocation accuracy (often <10 m) by manipulating auxiliary accounts and aggregating many measurements, describe mitigation steps the vendor applied (reducing accuracy to ~50 m), and provide guidance that disabling visible distance does not fully prevent location leakage.