Gay dating app Grindr has been slapped with a lawsuit instituted by hundreds of its users. The lawsuit alleges that the app shared private information, including the HIV status of users, with third parties without consent. Filed in London’s High Court, the lawsuit, according to Austen Hays from the law firm representing the plaintiffs, suggests that thousands of Grindr users in the United Kingdom may have been affected.
The law firm claims that Grindr shared highly sensitive user information with third parties for commercial purposes, including HIV status. Grindr, the largest dating app catering specifically to the LGBT community, is accused of sharing data with data analytics companies Apptimize and Locally.
The lawsuit further alleges that the app used covert tracking technology to gather sensitive information, which was then unlawfully shared with advertisers. With over 13 million monthly users and more than 924,000 users reported in the UK as of May 2023, Grindr boasts the highest engagement among dating apps, with users spending an average of six hours and 49 minutes on the app per month.
A spokesman for the gay dating app stated that they would “respond vigorously to this claim, which appears to be based on a mischaracterization of practices from more than four years ago.”
The lawsuit, signed by more than 670 respondents, claims that the breach occurred between 2018 and 2020. It is anticipated that more people could join the case, potentially numbering in the thousands. If successful, plaintiffs could receive thousands of pounds in damages.
The managing director of the law firm representing the plaintiffs, Chaya Hanoomanjee, stated, “Grindr owes it to the LGBTQ+ community it serves to compensate those whose data has been compromised and have suffered distress as a result. The company must ensure all its users are safe while using the app, wherever they are, without fear that their data might be shared with third parties.”
Grindr’s spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to protecting user data, asserting that they have robust processes in place that fully comply with data privacy regulations in the UK and elsewhere.
Also Read: Johnson Controls subsidiary Tyco Fire Products to pay $750 mn to settle ‘forever chemicals’ lawsuit
