Grindr to pay £26 million settlement over sensitive data sharing

Grindr has agreed to a £26 million (approximately $35.2 million) settlement to resolve a UK lawsuit involving thousands of users. The legal action, initiated in April 2024 by the law firm Austen Hays, alleged that the dating platform shared highly sensitive personal information—including users' HIV status, sexual orientation, and GPS locations—with advertising companies without consent.

The settlement represents approximately 12,000 claimants, who could receive an average of £2,167 each if the funds are distributed equally. Grindr has committed to paying £13 million by the end of this year and the remaining £13 million by March 2027.

Grindr stated that the dispute pertains to “historical data practices before 2020,” a period during which the app was controlled by Beijing-based Kunlun Tech. While the company disputes the allegations and the settlement includes no admission of liability, it acknowledged the “distress and loss of trust” experienced by users. The company noted that it has since overhauled its privacy programs to ensure user safety and transparency.