ABC – Oct 21 – LGBT Australians have criticized Grindr for allowing predators to easily create new profiles, despite reporting them for harassment or assault. Grindr users only need an email address to create a new profile and no other verification information, like a mobile phone number, is necessary. Unlike other dating apps such as Tinder, Grindr users don't opt-in by swiping on a profile and agreeing to message with someone. That means anyone can message anyone on the app. Grindr also limits the number of times a person can block someone on the app. Users can only block ten profiles per day; unlimited blocking is only available to people who pay for Grindr's premium version.
Category: Grindr
In Pakistan, Shame Makes Online Dating a Challenge
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE – Oct 12 – Many women use anonymous online dating profiles out of fear of being harassed in a country where arranged marriages are the norm. Pakistanis who use dating apps regularly face harassment and judgmental relatives. In the self-proclaimed "Land of the Pure" – where sexual relations outside marriage, and homosexuality, are punishable with prison sentences – dating culture is unfamiliar. Authorities in September banned Tinder, Grindr and other popular apps for failing to "moderate" their content. "Banning these dating apps is a way to preserve our traditions," said a 50-year-old matchmaker based in Karachi who has been helping families find suitable partners for arranged marriages for over a decade.
Grindr to Launch Bug Bounty Scheme
SILICON REPUBLIC – Oct 7 – After a serious vulnerability was discovered, Grindr wants to launch a bug bounty programme to improve the safety and security of its app. The announcement comes after French security researcher, Wassime Bouimadaghene, spotted a vulnerability that enabled password resets without access to a user’s inbox. Grindr released a statement noting that the security flaw has been fixed.
Grindr’s Security Flaw Let Anyone Easily Hijack User Accounts
Class Action Alleging Grindr Sold User Data
THE BAY AREA REPORTER – Sep 18 – A class action complaint against Grindr for privacy violations may not be able to proceed in traditional court but may go through arbitration. User Robert Bergeron sued Grindr after allegations it shared personal user data with third parties to the highest bidder without obtaining consent of users or telling them who those entities are, the initial federal court complaint states. Data included 'chat message text, chat images, e-mail address, display name, About Me, HIV status, linked Facebook & Twitter data, and more. They're claiming $5m+, which if the case went forward as a class action lawsuit would be spread among the members of the class. A 98% stake in Grindr sold a 98% stake in March to U.S.-based San Vicente Acquisition Partners.
Grindr ‘Disappointed’ by Pakistan Block
WHTC – Sep 3 – Grindr is disappointed by Pakistan's decision this week to block it and four other dating apps including Tinder after they were deemed to be disseminating "immoral content". Pakistan, the second largest Muslim-majority country in the world after Indonesia, is an Islamic nation where extra-marital relationships and homosexuality are illegal. Grindr did not say whether it would seek to discuss the matter further with Pakistani authorities.
Pakistan Bans 5 Dating Apps for ‘Immoral’ Content
TELEGRAPH INDIA – Sep 2 – Pakistan's telecom watchdog blocked Tinder, Tagged, Skout, Grindr and SayHi after they failed to take down the improper material. The apps were asked to remove "dating services" and moderate live streaming content "in accordance with the local laws of Pakistan" but they ignored the warning.
Grindr’s Campaign Wins National Award
DOMINION POST – Aug 18 – Last year, Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD) officials teamed up with Grindr to display alerts within 50 miles of the county. When clicked, these alerts redirected to the health department's information page on syphilis. Today, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the nation's 3K local governmental health departments, named its 2020 Model Practice Award Winners. 21 outstanding local health department programs have received this recognition, including "MCHD-Grindr Partnership to Alert Grindr Users to Syphilis Outbreak".
Grindr Offers New Security Features in Partnership With UrSafe
Grindr Seeks to Push Data Privacy Suit Into Arbitration
LAW360 – Aug 3 – Grindr has urged a New York federal court to push into arbitration a proposed class action claiming it illegally shared users' personal data with advertisers, claiming users agreed to arbitrate such claims in the app's terms and conditions.