Grindr Faces UK Lawsuit As Users Claim App Shares Confidential Data Illegaly, Including HIV Status
The lawsuit alleges that between 2018 and 2020, Grindr provided sensitive user information, such as HIV status and the dates of users' most recent HIV tests, to third parties for commercial gains.
Hundreds of Grindr users have initiated a major lawsuit in London, claiming the gay dating app improperly shared their confidential data, including HIV status, with external entities. As reported by Reuters, the legal action, lodged at the High Court by the law firm Austen Hays, could potentially impact thousands of UK-based users, according to the firm's statement on Monday.
The lawsuit alleges that between 2018 and 2020, Grindr provided highly sensitive user information, such as HIV status and the dates of users' most recent HIV tests, to third parties for commercial gains. This breach, the firm argues, has caused distress and harm to the affected individuals.
Grindr Refutes Claims
As per Reuters, in response to the allegations, a Grindr spokesperson strongly refuted the claims, stating that the company has never sold or used user-reported health information for commercial purposes. The spokesperson emphasised that the allegations might stem from misunderstandings of practices that were discontinued over four years ago. Grindr maintains its commitment to user privacy, asserting adherence to all relevant data protection laws, including those in the UK.
Chaya Hanoomanjee, the managing director of Austen Hays, argued that Grindr has a responsibility towards the LGBTQ+ community it serves, not only to compensate those impacted but also to safeguard all users' data to ensure their safety and privacy on the platform.
As the case develops, around 670 individuals have already joined the lawsuit, with many more expected to participate. The outcomes of this legal challenge could set significant precedents for data protection and privacy within the realm of digital dating services.
Meanwhile, late last year, Grindr lost almost 50 per cent of its staff after implementing a strict "return to work" policy. Almost 45 per cent of Grindr's employees have quit the company after it made it mandatory in August to return to office.
Grindr's revised policy gave employees two weeks to choose between relocating to their respective team’s newly assigned “hub” city to work in-person twice a week or leave the company with severance, according to labour group Communications Workers of America (CWA).
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