How To Delete All Your Data From Happn

Rightly, Champions of Data, empowers you to easily and securely manage your personal online data.

On this page we’ll explain why it’s a good idea to get your data deleted from Happn and how to go about it. Or if you just want to get started, click the Start Now button which will take you directly to our Rightly Protect service, enabling you to find out who has your data and get it deleted, quickly and for free.

French based dating app Happn, lets members find people they’ve crossed paths with in real life. It's supposed to only reveal a person's first name, but technical analysis of data packets in 2017 showed it also leaks a person's Facebook ID, if the user has used Facebook to login. The app has been accused by the Norwegian Consumer Council of sharing user data in violation of its own policies, which it denied.

What we’ll cover

  1. Can I delete my data from Happn?
  2. How do I delete data from Happn?
  3. How long until Happn responds?
  4. Does Happn actually delete your data ?
  5. What type of data does Happn store on me?
  6. What does Happn do with my data?
  7. Why delete my data from Happn?

Can I delete my data from Happn?

Yes you can! You have the right to ask any company to delete all the data they hold on you and they have to comply within 30 days. This right flows from GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) legislation and if companies don’t comply without a valid reason, they can be in trouble.

How do I delete data from Happn?

The easiest way to get your data deleted from companies like Happn is to use our Rightly Protect service. In addition to picking Happn and asking them to erase your data, you can use our service to analyse your email inbox to figure out all the companies that have your data. Then you can ask all of them to delete the data they hold on you in one click. Because many companies have your data, even companies you’ve never heard of, and it often runs into hundreds or even thousands of organisations putting your data at risk.

How long until Happn responds?

Happn should reply within one calendar month. If they have genuine reasons that they need extra time to consider your request, they can take up to an extra two months - but they should let you know within one month that they need more time and the reasons why. If you’re unhappy with how they respond, you can make a complaint to Happn and then if you’re still unhappy, you can complain to the ICO (Information Commissioner’s office).

Does Happn actually delete your data?

Yes, it’s a legal requirement. After one calendar month has passed since your account deletion request, your account and all of your information will be permanently erased by Happn, and you will not be able to retrieve it.

What type of data does Happn store on me?

Happn can collect a wide range of data from registered users:

  • Names and passwords of account holders
  • Usernames
  • Email addresses
  • Billing address
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Marital status
  • Sexual orientation
  • Text and voice messages
  • Video call data
  • Search preferences
  • Images uploaded to your profile
  • Preference choices, and other account settings
  • Messaging services
  • Phone numbers
  • Metadata on how people use the Happn mobile app and website
  • Device model, OS and MAC address, browser type
  • Precise location
  • Height
  • Interests and habits
  • Career and educational information
  • Your Facebook or other third party ‘sign-in’ app data

Happn shares Personal Information with a number of third-party partners.

What does Happn do with my data?

Happn’s main motive for building a data set around each user is to provide its services. Some of the data is used to set up your account. Some information is provided by users optionally. Other data is collected automatically, notably precise location data.

They also collect text and voice message data that is stored on Happn’s servers.

Happn compiles the same kinds of data from a variety of users and uses it to optimise when and where it shows you certain ads on its own and other platforms. The additional data that Happn collects helps the company to perform strategic market research, communicate directly with users, and counter suspected misuse.

Why delete my data from Happn?

Happn has suffered a series of breach attempts and there can be little doubt that hackers will continue attempts to compromise your personal data.

If you’re not using Happn any more, or think a fresh profile would be a good thing, you can instruct Happn to delete all the data they have about you and so prevent it from being stolen as a result of a data breach.