Grindr agrees to pay £26 million settlement over alleged HIV data sharing

In a move that could shape the future of privacy for dating apps, Grindr, the world's biggest LGBTQ+‑focused platform, has agreed to pay £26 million to settle a class‑action lawsuit in the United States.

The lawsuit, filed in 2024, accused the app of sharing users’ sensitive personal data—including names, sexual orientation, ethnicity and HIV test results—with third‑party analytics firms without consent.

Partner companies identified a data analytics firm and a marketing service, which were already linked to the app in a 2018 disclosure, and the claims say Grindr utilised the information to personalise advertising.

Grindr’s SEC filing confirms it will make two payments of £13 million each: the first by 31 December 2026 and the second by 31 March 2027. The settlement carries no admission of liability.

The company says the practices in question date to before 2020, when it was owned by the Chinese firm Kunlun, and that it has since overhauled its privacy procedures.

Regulatory bodies have already penalised the company: a 5.5 million‑pound fine from Norway’s data watchdog and a reprimand from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.

Significant distress was quoted by the lead counsel, Chaya Hanoomanjee, who said users suffered emotional harm after seeing their private data shared without permission.

Grindr reiterated its commitment to safety and data transparency while it navigates the fallout of the lawsuit.