Grindr to Pay £26M Over UK HIV Data-Sharing Claims
Is Grindr's data scandal a legacy problem fixed by new owners or a betrayal of users still owed damages?
Above: A photo illustration of the Grindr logo displayed on a smartphone. Image credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
While Grindr acknowledges the distress and loss of trust associated with this case, it is important to remember that the allegations predate 2020, when the Chinese conglomerate Kunlun called the shots, not the app's current ownership, which has rebuilt the privacy program from the ground up. That is why this settlement carries no admission or finding of liability.
Narrative B
Handing HIV status, test dates and PrEP use to advertisers was a betrayal of the very community Grindr claimed to protect. Nevertheless, despite Norway hitting the app with a record fine and the ICO issuing a reprimand, no apology or compensation followed, which is why thousands of users deserve damages for the fear and stigma this exposure caused.