Lawsuit in London Alleges Grindr Shared Users’ HIV Status with Advertising Companies

Grindr Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Sharing of Sensitive User Information

Grindr, the popular dating app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, is facing the prospect of legal action by hundreds of users in the UK. The law firm Austen Hays is set to file a claim in London’s high court on Monday, alleging that Grindr breached British data protection laws by sharing highly sensitive personal information, including HIV status, with advertising companies.

According to the law firm, thousands of UK Grindr users had their information misused. So far, 670 people have signed up to the claim, with “thousands” more expressing interest in joining.

Grindr has stated that it will respond vigorously to the claim, which it believes relies on a mischaracterization of past policies.

The high court claim will focus on Grindr’s alleged sharing of personal information with two advertising companies, with further allegations that these companies may have sold the data to other businesses.

The claim against Grindr will cover periods before April 3, 2018, and between May 25, 2018, and April 7, 2020. Grindr changed its consent mechanisms in April 2020.

In 2018, Grindr announced it would stop sharing users’ HIV status with third-party companies after a report by Norwegian researchers revealed data sharing with two companies. However, in 2021, Norway’s data protection authority fined Grindr for violating data protection regulations.

Chaya Hanoomanjee, managing director of Austen Hays, stated, “Our clients have experienced significant distress over their highly sensitive and private information being shared without their consent, and many have suffered feelings of fear, embarrassment, and anxiety as a result.”

Grindr has emphasized its commitment to protecting user data and complying with data privacy regulations, stating that the claim appears to be based on practices from more than four years ago.

The law firm believes that some users could be entitled to thousands of pounds in damages.

Source: Original article published on The Guardian