Grindr agrees to £26 m settlement over alleged HIV data sharing

The digital dating platform, the largest LGBTQ+ app worldwide, has agreed to pay £26 million to settle a class‑action lawsuit claiming it shared users’ personal information—including HIV test results—with third‑party analytics firms.

The lawsuit, first filed in the UK high court in 2024, was expanded to the United States, where more than 11,000 claimants were recruited.

Grindr’s filing said the settlement is split into two £13 million payments—one due by the end of 2024 and the second by March 2027—while denying damage.

The company highlighted that the alleged improper data sharing happened before 2020, when it was owned by Chinese firm Kunlun, and stated it has revamped its privacy practices since then.

This follows earlier fines from Norway’s data‑protection authority and a complaint from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, and reflects wider scrutiny over how queer‑focused app providers handle sensitive data.

The settlement underscores the need for robust data governance, especially for platforms serving marginalized communities whose privacy can influence health outcomes and social trust.