Grindr settles privacy lawsuit tied to disclosure of users’ HIV statuses for $35 million

Grindr, a popular LGBTQ+ dating app, has settled a UK lawsuit for $35.2 million alleging that it shared users’ HIV status data with advertisers. The settlement doesn't admit liability, but acknowledges user distress and reflects changes made by Grindr since new ownership in 2020, including a revamped privacy program. The lawsuit stemmed from incidents occurring before early 2020, when Grindr was owned by a Chinese company, Kuntun. The legal action involved approximately 12,000 class members.

According to the settlement, Grindr shared encrypted user data with two service providers to facilitate the development of a new feature allowing users to include their HIV status in their profile. Grindr’s then chief privacy officer, Kelly Peterson Miranda, stated that the allegations were untrue, asserting that user health information, including last-tested HIV dates, was never used for advertising purposes.

Since new ownership in 2020, Grindr has implemented a new privacy program with a focus on the needs of its community. The settlement reflects these changes and acknowledges the concerns raised by users.

Suzanne Smalley is a reporter covering digital privacy, surveillance technologies and cybersecurity policy for The Record. She was previously a cybersecurity reporter at CyberScoop. Earlier in her career Suzanne covered the Boston Police Department for the Boston Globe and two presidential campaign cycles for Newsweek. She lives in Washington with her husband and three children.