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Grindr will stop sharing users’ HIV data with third-party companies

the app had been sending senstitive information to marketing firms

Published

8 years ago

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Grindr, social media app, gay news, Washington Blade

(Logo courtesy of Grindr)

Grindr will stop sharing the HIV data of its users following a BuzzFeed report that the same-sex hookup app was sending personal information to third-party services.

BuzzFeed first reported that researchers at Norwegian nonprofit group SINTEF discovered that Apptimize and Localytics, two companies that help Grindr manage its marketing practices, were receiving users’ HIV status, including last date tested, GPA data, phone ID and email.

SINTEF researcher Antoine Pultier told BuzzFeed that its concerning that users’ identities could be discovered.

“The HIV status is linked to all the other information. That’s the main issue,” Pultier says. “I think this is the incompetence of some developers that just send everything, including HIV status.”

Scott Chen, Grindr’s chief technology officer, told BuzzFeed in a statement that use of third-party companies to analyze user data for marketing purposes is common.

“Thousands of companies use these highly regarded platforms. These are standard practices in the mobile app ecosystem,” Chen says.“No Grindr user information is sold to third parties. We pay these software vendors to utilize their services.”

Grindr responded to the report by noting that users run the risk of exposing private information because they are using a public app. It also notes that users can opt out of sharing certain information.

“It’s important to remember that Grindr is a public forum. We give users the option to post information about themselves including HIV status and last test date, and we make it clear in our privacy policy that if you choose to include this information in your profile, the information will also become public,” the statement reads.

Bryce Case, Grindr’s head of security, announced to Axios that it will no longer share users’ HIV status with third-party companies.

“I understand the news cycle right now is very focused on these issues,” Case told Axios refering to the recent data breach scandal of Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. “I think what’s happened to Grindr is, unfairly, we’ve been singled out.”

This isn’t the only security risk Grindr users have faced in the last week. C*ckblocked, another third-party site, uncovered a major security flaw in Grindr’s application programming interface (API) which allowed anyone to access users’ email addresses, deleted photos, personal messages and location.

Grindr has since patched the flaw and reminded users not to use their Grindr username and password for other sites.

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District of Columbia

SMYAL receives $25,000 award for ‘courageous acts’

D.C. group provides support services for LGBTQ youth

Published

3 days ago

on

July 2, 2026

By

SMYAL CEO Erin Whelan (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The D.C.-based organization SMYAL, which provides services for LGBTQ youth in the D.C. metro area, including housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, announced on June 30 that it received a $25,000 award for its “courageous acts” in support of the community it serves.

The award was a monetary grant from The Courage Project, which describes itself as a “national initiative investing in acts of courage and compassion that strengthens our communities and democracy.” 

A statement on its website says it was launched in May 2025 and is funded and backed by leading national foundations in the U.S.

“At SMYAL, we are deeply grateful to receive support from The Courage Project and are inspired by their bold investment in LGBTQ+ youth at such a critical moment,” SMYAL CEO Erin Whelan said in a statement. “For queer and trans young people, simply showing up as themselves each day requires immense courage, and that courage is strengthened when organizations like The Courage Project stand behind them loudly, proudly, and without hesitation,” Whelan said.

In its statement announcing the award SMYAL says The Courage Project will recognize SMYAL and other awardees and their work on July 3 at the Washington National Cathedral as part of a special interfaith service marking the U.S. 250th anniversary.

“The Courage Project is a bold initiative honoring everyday acts of bravery – the quiet, often unseen acts of heroism that reflect the best of the American spirit and strengthen democracy at the community level,” the project states on its website.

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United Kingdom

Queen Camilla meets with JK Rowling

Edinburgh meeting took place on last day of Pride month

Published

3 days ago

on

July 2, 2026

By

(Photo via The Royal Family/X)

Queen Camilla on Tuesday met with JK Rowling.

The Royal Family on X said the meeting took place at Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The post included a picture of Camilla and Rowling together.

“With a shared passion for books and a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure, The queen and author JK Rowling have met at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh,” it reads. “Her Majesty and Ms. Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring that young people have access to books and the vital part reading plays in opening doors for future generations.”

Rowling over the last decade has emerged as a vocal opponent of transgender rights. Her meeting with Camilla took place on the last day of Pride month.

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Delaware

Delaware approves amendment protecting same-sex marriage

Measure must pass second vote in next year’s session

Published

4 days ago

on

July 1, 2026

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Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall introduced the amendment bill earlier this week. (Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100 on the last day of the legislative session on Tuesday after being rescinded last week. 

Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100 (SB-100) passed with 28 ‘yes’ votes, meeting the two-thirds threshold required for the bill to pass. Tuesday was the last day of the 153rd General Assembly. 

The amendment would enshrine the right to same-sex and interracial marriage in the Delaware Constitution. 

SB-100 was rescinded last week after it did not receive enough votes to pass. Democrats were short by three votes, with two Democratic members missing from the vote.

Rep. Josue Ortega (D-03) voted ‘no’ on SB-100 and Rep. Medinah Anton-Wilson (D-27) did not vote. However, both members voted ‘yes’ for Senate Substitute 2 for SB-100 on Tuesday. 

Prime sponsor of SB 100, Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall (D-14), made the technical decision to change her vote last week from a ‘yes’ to a ‘no’ at the last minute to keep the bill alive. 

Additionally, Republican Assemblyman Michael Smith (R-22) joined the Democrats with a ‘yes’ vote after voting ‘no’ on SB-100 last week. 

In order for SB 100 to be enshrined into the state Constitution, it must be passed by two consecutive General Assemblies. Thus, the amendment will not be officially added to the Constitution unless it passes in the 154th General Assembly next year. 

Rep. Snyder-Hall introduced the measure earlier this week. 

“Just one week ago, we failed to pass this legislation. We failed the people of Delaware. But today, on the final day of the legislative session, the 153rd General Assembly affirmed that every Delawarean has the fundamental right to marry the person they love, regardless of race or gender,” said Snyder-Hall.

“Thank you to my colleagues for recognizing that the right to marry is a right worthy of protection and for voting yes on this important constitutional amendment.” 

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