Dating Data: Grindr’s Oversharing of Sensitive User Information

The dating app Grindr found itself embroiled in controversy after reports that the app was sharing user’s HIV status with third parties. At issue was that Grindr users may not have been adequately informed that sensitive health information was being shared with third-party service providers. Given the risk of discrimination and stigmatization if HIV status information was disclosed, Grindr was criticized for failing to properly protect user information. At first, Grindr claimed that service contracts adequately protected user’s sensitive information. Eventually the company decided to stop sharing HIV status with third parties, but not before drawing public ire and prompting a U.S. Senator to condemn the app’s conduct, stating that “[s]haring sensitive information like this can put LGBT Americans at risk.”