Oxford University dating website 'Oxshag' shut down over 'data breach'
Oxford University dating website Oxshag which promised to help ‘undersexed’ students find ‘bookworms with benefits’ is shut down over ‘data breach after revealing name of everyone with uni email address’
- ‘OxShag’ claimed to offer casual sex matchmaking opportunities for students
- Those signing up paid £3 fee to submit names of people they were interested in
- Website was taken down after students accused it of breaching their privacy
A website advertising casual sex for Oxford University students was yesterday accused of a privacy breach after publicly sharing a database of student names, email addresses and colleges.
‘OxShag’ was an anonymous matchmaking website launched by students which promised to help ‘overworked and undersexed’ students find love with ‘no strings attached’.
Those signing up to ‘OxShag’ would pay £3 to select up to 20 students or staff members they were interested in and submit the names to the website.
Students and staff quickly complained the website breached their privacy by publicly listing their entire university directory – including academics, porters, administrators and more.
‘OxShag’ was an anonymous matchmaking website launched by University of Oxford students which promised to help ‘overworked and undersexed’ students find love with ‘no strings attached’
Students and staff quickly complained the website breached their privacy by publicly listing their entire university directory – including academics, porters, administrators and more [file image]
When it launched Sunday, OxShag’s website featured a list of every person who holds an Oxford University email address.
The list was compiled using publicly available information but the university appears to forbid people from storing and reusing the contact details.
The website did not have a privacy policy, and when students requested to have their names removed from the database they were referred to an FAQ page and given no assurance their name would be erased.
The matchmaking service was briefly taken down after a large number of people complained with students saying it was a breach of their privacy.
Students had raised concerns about the potential for abuse and exploitation. One said it was a ‘welfare concern’ and a ‘huge data breach’.
It was subsequently relaunched and the original subscription fee of £3 was reduced to £1 but after the backlash with possible action from the university, the website was shut down.
The creator, who has so far remained anonymous, said the information given away was little more than people’s names and college affiliation, and that it was an ‘innocent mistake’
The creator, who has so far remained anonymous, said the information given away was little more than people’s names and college affiliation, and that it was an ‘innocent mistake’.
They wrote: ‘What could have been a fun event has now been ruined by the loud minority. Loosen up, have a laugh and take life a bit less seriously. I think those who are the most against Oxshag are probably the most in need of it.’
A spokesperson for Oxford told The Times: ‘The university was very concerned to learn of this website and is taking immediate action to minimise the risk to our students and staff.’
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