In brief
Grindr has reached a £26m settlement to resolve a class‑action lawsuit that accused the app of sharing users’ sensitive data—including HIV status—with external analytics companies. The agreement, announced after a US securities filing, involves two £13m payments over the next few years and contains no admission of fault. Grindr says the illegal data sharing occurred before 2020, when the app was owned by Chinese firm Kunlun, and it has since overhauled its privacy safeguards. Regulators have previously fined the company for data practice breaches, but Grindr maintains it remains a safe, transparent platform for its community. The claimants, represented by Austen Hayes, argue that the breach created “significant distress” for those whose private health information was revealed without consent.
Grindr has agreed to pay £26m to settle a class‑action lawsuit claiming it shared users’ HIV status with third parties.
The lawsuit, filed in the High Court in 2024, alleges that Grindr’s data analytics partners accessed sensitive personal information for commercial advertising. A US securities filing reveals the settlement will be made in two installments of £13m each, with the final payment due in March 2027.
Grindr says the disputed data sharing occurred before 2020, during a period when the app was owned by the Chinese company Kunlun. It denies any wrongdoing and states it has since overhauled its privacy practices to better protect its community.
Regulators have previously fined Grindr for its data practices: a £5.5m penalty from Norway’s watchdog and a reprimand from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office. Despite these warnings, the company continues to describe itself as a safe space for LGBTQ+ users.
Lawyers for the claimants say the breach caused significant distress, arguing that the app owes compensation for releasing such sensitive health information without consent. The settlement reflects Grindr’s attempt to address the damage while maintaining its operating stance.
