Zoosk 2011 Data Breach
ObscureIQ Breach Intelligence
Low SeverityWebsite / service breach
Zoosk Dating Platform Credential Exposure (2011): 52 Million Records :: Authenticity Unverified
Online dating platform.
Verified by ObscureIQ Intelligence
34/100Breach Risk Index
25Data Value
10Market Recency
3365dSince Breach
Breach Intelligence Summary
Entity: Zoosk · Actor: Unknown · Sources: 3 references
Attack: Unknown
Profile: Platform · Online dating and matchmaking · General dating platform · Global
Timeline: Breach (2011-01-01) · Indexed (Feb 08, 2017) · Year (2011)
Exposure: 52.6M records · 2 fields: Email Address, Password
Status: Reported
Executive Summary
A dataset of approximately 53 million records attributed to the online dating platform Zoosk began circulating in hacking communities around 2011. The data included email addresses and passwords stored in plaintext. However, when analysts conducted extensive verification in 2016, no evidence could be found confirming that the data originated from Zoosk's own systems. The exposure has since been classified as unverified and is treated in breach intelligence databases with that status prominently noted. If genuine, the exposed data would be particularly sensitive given the dating context. Plaintext passwords are especially dangerous because they can be used directly to access other accounts where the same password was reused, without any need for cracking. Email addresses tied to a dating platform can also enable targeted phishing, social engineering, or harassment based on inferred personal behavior. No regulatory action or legal proceedings have been publicly linked to this incident, and Zoosk has not confirmed a breach occurred. Because authenticity remains unverified, affected individuals cannot be certain whether their data was genuinely exposed. As a precaution, anyone who used Zoosk around that period and reused their password elsewhere should update those credentials and remain alert to phishing attempts that reference their dating activity.
ObscureIQ assessment: Exposure enables harassment, stalking, phishing, and identity linkage around dating behavior. Subscription and profile data can also support romance scams or impersonation.
Breach Impact
A dataset of approximately 53 million Zoosk records dating to around 2011 circulated in hacking communities, containing email addresses and plaintext passwords. During verification in 2016, analysts could not confirm the data definitively originated from Zoosk's own systems, and the breach has been classified as unverified. It is included in breach intelligence databases with that caveat noted.
About Zoosk
Zoosk is an online dating platform operating across multiple countries, offering matching, messaging, and virtual gifting features to a predominantly adult user base. The company was founded in 2007 and has changed ownership multiple times, eventually being acquired by Spark Networks — the parent of Silversingles and other dating properties — in 2019. It operates as one of several platforms in the competitive general dating market.
Why They Hold Your Data
Dating platforms collect user identity, profile details, photos, messages, relationship preferences, subscription records, and engagement activity tied to matchmaking workflows.
Recent Developments
Zoosk has continued operating under Spark Networks, which has navigated a challenging environment for subscription dating platforms facing competition from app-based services. No major standalone Zoosk organizational changes have been prominently reported in the recent period.
Data Points Exposed
2 verified field types
Email Address
Password Critical
Field names are shown in full for clarity and search visibility. Canonical machine keys are emitted only in this page’s structured data.
Exploitation & Downstream Threats
Threat Activity:High
Primary downstream threats:
- Credential stuffing against reused passwords across other platforms
- Targeted phishing campaigns using exposed email addresses
Threat vectors:
- Phishing, credential stuffing & account takeover
- Credential stuffing & account takeover
Recommended Actions
If you believe your information may be included:
Change Reused Passwords
Update this account and anywhere you reused the password; use a manager.
Enable MFA Everywhere
Turn on multi-factor authentication on email first, then financial accounts.
Report & Recover
If you spot misuse, start an official recovery plan and report fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Zoosk breach?▾
A dataset of approximately 53 million records attributed to the online dating platform Zoosk began circulating in hacking communities around 2011. The data included email addresses and passwords stored in plaintext. However, when analysts conducted extensive verification in 2016, no evidence could…
What data was exposed?▾
Verified fields include Email Address, Password.
What should I do if I was affected?▾
Change reused passwords, enable MFA, and (if identity or financial data is involved) freeze your credit and monitor your accounts.
Sources & References
Every claim on this page is traceable. This breach draws on:
Breach Index
Breach Index
ObscureIQ Intelligence
ObscureIQ proprietary analysis
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