Tinder launches group dating feature – and exposes you to Facebook friends

Tinder, the dating app notorious for translating physical attraction into the swipe of a single fingertip, has launched a group dating feature. Tinder Social has been rolled out on a trial basis in Australia, but has been met with alarm after users realised the new feature exposes Facebook friends that also use the app. In a blog post announcing the launch of Tinder Social, the company presents the function as a means to meet people on a platonic basis, promising to take "an average night out with your friends to the next level". Users included in the trial are now able to join public groups consisting of Facebook contacts, and others can add them to these groups without permission. Crucially, these features are opt-out rather than opt-in; Tinder might out a person as a user of its app before an individual has a chance to turn the feature off.