 Grindr black logo | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| NYSE: GRND | |
| Industry | |
| Founded | March 25, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-03-25) inLos Angeles, California |
| Founder | Joel Simkhai |
| Headquarters | |
Areas served | Worldwide |
Key people | |
| Products |
|
| Website | www |
Grindr (/ˈɡraɪndər/ ⓘ) is alocation-basedsocial networking andonline dating application for gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender people.[1][2]
It was one of the first geosocial apps for gay men when it launched in March 2009, and has since become the largest and most popular gay mobile app in the world.[3][4][5] It is available oniOS andAndroid devices in both free andpremium versions (the latter called Grindr XTRA and Grindr Unlimited). As of September 2023, Grindr has approximately 13.5 million monthly active users.[6]
The app allows users to create a personal profile and use theirGPS position to place them on a cascade, where they can browse other profiles sorted by distance and be viewed by nearby and faraway users depending on one's filter settings. Selecting a profile photo in the grid view will display that user's full profile and photos, as well as the option to chat, send a "tap," send pictures, video call, and share one's precise location.
Grindr was launched as aniOSmobile app on March 25, 2009, by tech entrepreneurJoel Simkhai inLos Angeles, California.[7] The free version displayed 100 profiles of nearby men, while apremium version ($2.99 plus a monthly fee) contained no advertising and broadened the dating pool to 200 men.[8] Cautious but generally positive reviews of the app circulated through the gay blogosphere on sites such asQueerty[9] and Joe My God.[10] By August 2009, there were 200,000 total users in Grindr's network.[8] By March 2010, there were 500,000.[11]
For its first anniversary on March 25, 2010, Grindr released the app forBlackBerry devices.[11]
In January 2011, Grindr won the iDate Award for Best Mobile Dating App.[12]
On March 7, 2011, Grindr launched the app forAndroid devices. Along with a free version, users could pay $4.97 for apremium version calledGrindr XTRA that featured nobanner ads, more profiles to choose from, more "favorites," andpush notifications of messages received while the app is running in the background.[13]
In January 2012, a vulnerability in the app's security software enabled hackers to change the profile picture of a small number of primarily Australian Grindr users to explicit images. Grindr subsequently commenced legal action and made software changes that blocked the site responsible.[14]
In January 2012, Grindr wonTechCrunch'sCrunchies Award for Best Location Application and two iDate Awards for Best Mobile Dating App and Best New Technology.[15][16] In April 2012, Grindr won theAbout.com Readers' Choice Award for Best Dating App, after 74 percent of readers chose Grindr overZoosk,SKOUT,Tagged, Tingle, and Are You Interested. In May 2012, the2012 Webby Awards named Grindr an Official Honoree in its "Social (Handheld Devices)" category.[17] Fewer than 15% of entries submitted to theWebby Award committee that year received the Official Honoree distinction, which recognizes the best in Internet content, services, and commerce.[18]
On June 18, 2012, Grindr announced that it had officially hit 4 million registered users in 192 countries across the globe.[19]
On July 22, 2012, after Grindr experienced a technical outage, British tabloidThe People (nowThe Sunday People) reported that Grindr's crash was due to the volume of usage upon the arrival of Olympic athletes in London for the2012 Summer Olympics looking for hook-ups.[20] The report caused rumors to circulate regarding the athletes' potentially scandalous sexual behavior. Grindr quashed the rumors the next day and blamed the outage on technical issues not related toserver demand.[21]
In August 2013, Grindr released an updated version of the app requiring users to verify their accounts by providing a valid email address. Grindr says this was done to reducespam and improveportability. Critics argued it stripped the app of itsanonymity.[22]
On September 30, 2013, Grindr introduced Grindr Tribes, allowing users to identify themselves with a niche group and filter their searches to better find their type. Grindr Tribes include:Bear, Clean-Cut, Daddy, Discreet, Geek, Jock, Leather, Otter, Poz, Rugged, Trans, andTwink. In addition to Tribes, Grindr users could now filter by Looking For.[23]
As of Grindr's fifth anniversary on March 25, 2014, the app was averaging more than 5 million active monthly users worldwide.[24]
In January 2016, Grindr announced that it had sold a 60% stake in the company for $93 million to a Chinesevideo game development firm, Kunlun Tech Co Ltd (formerly Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd).[25][26][27] In January 2018, Kunlun purchased the remainder of the company for $152 million.[28]
In March 2018, Grindr introduced a new feature that, if opted into, sends the user a reminder every three to six months to get an HIV test.[29]
In August 2018, the Kunlunexecutive board granted permission for aninitial public offering for Grindr.[28] In March 2019, Kunlun started seeking for a buyer of Grindr after theCommittee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) had informed Kunlun that having the app owned by a Chinese company posed a national security risk.[30] This also led Kunlun to halt its plans for anIPO for Grindr.[31]
In July 2019, Grindr released Grindr Unlimited, a newpremium version of the app that allows subscribers to unsend messages, go Incognito, see unlimited profiles in the cascade, see who has viewed them, see typing status, and use all the premium features of Grindr XTRA.[32] In November 2019, Grindr launched Grindr Web, a free desktop version of the app built for users who prefer to chat from their computer or laptop. Designed for "quick and discreet" chat while at the office, it employs a genericemail interface and mimicscomputer file folders in place of user profiles.[33] This service has since been made a feature of the paid version, Grindr Unlimited.
In March 2020, Kunlun announced that it would sell its 98.59% stake in Grindr to U.S.-based San Vicente Acquisition LLC for $608.5 million.[34] Grindr's senior management and core employees would continue to hold 1.41% of the company's shares after the transaction.[35] Towards the end of the same year, Grindr was reported to have about 13 million monthly users.[36]
Grindr announced it will go public viaSPAC in May 2022.[37] This came to fruition in November 2022, when Grindr went public on theNew York Stock Exchange.[38]
In May 2023, Grindr relaunched Grindr Web limited only to XTRA and Unlimited subscribers. In August 2023, Grindr mandated that allremote workers—including workers that were specifically hired with a "remote worker" designation—relocate to hub cities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C., providing workers with only two weeks advance notice to comply. By September 2023, 46% of Grindr's 178 workers either quit or were terminated due to non-compliance with the company'sreturn to in-office work policy, in a damaging blow to employee retention. TheCommunications Workers of America (CWA) protested that the mandate was in response to employees' effort organize a union, and in response, they filed two lawsuits alleging unfair labor practices with theUS National Labor Relations Board.[39][40]
In August 2017, Grindr launched its own in-housedigital magazine,Into, which focuses on queer media and culture.[41][42] It has been noted for publishing an article in November 2018, criticizing Grindr president Scott Chen for comments he made on marriage equality that have been characterized as homophobic.[41][42] In January 2019, Grindr laid off the editorial staff ofInto, citing a desire to "[shift] our focus to video content".[41]
Into was revived in May 2021 by LGBTQ digital media company Q.Digital.[43]
In March 2021, it was announced that Grindr was stepping into the "original scripted content space" with a debut web series titledBridesman.[44] The series, created by John Onieal and directed by Julian Buchanan, went into production the same month and made its world premiere at theOutfest Film Festival on August 14, 2021.[45] The series consists of six episodes[46] and starsJimmy Fowlie,Sydnee Washington and Shanon DeVido.[44] The show was co-written by John Onieal and Frank Spiro, and produced by Jeremy Truong and Katie White under Truong's company rubbertape.[44]
In 2024, Grindr launched "Who's The Asshole?", apodcast hosted bydrag queenKatya Zamolodchikova. Season 1 guests includeOrville Peck,Jordan Firstman,Trace Lysette andSaucy Santana.[47] Season 2 guests includeAdam Lambert, Cosmo Lombino,Gottmik,Bowen Yang, Brandon Kyle Goodman and Evan Ross Katz.[48] Season 3 guests includeLisa Rinna, Christian Cowan,Gus Kenworthy, Zachary Zane,Megan Stalter,Joel Kim Booster andJordy Shulman.[49]
In 2024, Grindr launched its "Host or Travel" onlinetravel series, which exploresgayborhoods around the world.[50]
Locations have included:
In February 2012, Grindr formed Grindr for Equality (G4E), a geotargeted political service designed to raise awareness of LGBT equality issues. Ahead of the2012 U.S. elections, it encouraged users to register to vote and provided information about pro-LGBT candidates in their areas.[51]
G4E has since evolved into an international LGBTQ health and human rights program. In November 2019, it granted a total of $100,000 to organizations and activists providing direct services and advocacy to the LGBTQ communities in the Middle East and North Africa.[52]
Grindr is not available in the following territories due to government bans or US government sanctions:Iran,Crimea,Syria,Pakistan,Cuba,North Korea andSudan.[53][54] Furthermore, there are also restrictions in whole or in part in these countries:China,Indonesia,Turkey,Lebanon,Qatar, and theUnited Arab Emirates.[53]
In December 2019, Grindr took measures to protect users in countries in which they may be at risk for being LGBT, unveiling new security features for them and automatically disabling their distance feature.[55][56]
Grindr has been criticized for not taking sufficient action to moderate the display of offensive, racist, and homophobic language by some of its users.[57] In June 2014, when asked about hateful speech on Grindr, the app's creatorJoel Simkhai said in an interview with the Israeli newspaperHaaretz that he "didn't like it" but he "[isn't] a sixth grade teacher" and it "[isn't his] job to police such things."[58]
The app was criticized in the past for allowing users to sort users byethnicity, which some thought wasdiscriminatory. This was removed in June 2020, following social media complaints.[59][60][61]
It has also found applications in drug dealing prompting the app developer to take actions on some emojis.[62][63]
In August 2014, it was reported that Grindr's relative distance measurements could facilitatetrilateration, thereby pinpointing individual users' near-exact location.[64] A proof of concept was published, and more than 2 million detections were performed within a few days.[65] Authorities inEgypt allegedly used the app to track and arrest gay men.[66][67] Grindr responded by temporarily disabling distance display globally.[68]
In May 2016, a group of computer scientists fromKyoto University demonstrated how location pinpointing is still possible in the app even when a user is hiding their distance from public display.[69] By exploiting a novel attack model called colluding-trilateration, locating any targeted user becomes a very easy and cheap task without employing any special hacking technique. The attack model works with anylocation-based service app that shows profiles of nearby users in order of proximity, not just Grindr.[70]
In May 2022, it was reported that Grindr's user location data has been collected and sold through a digital advertising network since 2017, before Grindr curtailed data sharing with its advertising partners in 2020. Historical data from this period may still be obtainable.[71]
In April 2018, a Norwegian non-profitresearch organization reported that Grindr's data bundles sold to third-party companies could potentially contain users' sensitive personal information such as HIV status and HIV testing dates. The discovery generated widespread scrutiny of Grindr's privacy practices. In response, Grindr released a statement stating "Grindr has never sold, nor will we ever sell, personally identifiable user information – especially information regarding HIV status or last test date – to third parties or advertisers. As an industry standard practice, Grindr does work with highly-regarded [software] vendors to test and optimize our platform. These vendors are under strict contractual terms that provide for the highest level of confidentiality, data security, and user privacy."[72][73][74]
On January 14, 2020, a report was published by theNorwegian Consumer Council which alleged that Grindr had violated the European Union's General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) rules. The council asserted that Grindr has sent user data to at least 135 advertisers.[75][76] The main concerns of the allegations were for sharing personal information, including users' locations and information about their device. These details could potentially indicate the sexual orientation of a user without their consent.[77] After review from theNorwegian Data protection Authority, it was ruled that Grindr was in violation of the GDPR and fined €10 million.[78]
In October 2020, a security researcher discovered a vulnerability in the password reset process. Anyone was able to take over an account using only the email address.[79]
In April 2024, Grindr was the subject of a lawsuit lodged at theHigh Court in London for mishandling user data, including the use of "covert tracking technology" and sharing sensitive user data – including HIV status – with third party analytics companies.[80][81]
Research has estimated that half of sexually active gay and bisexual adolescents use applications like Grindr.[82] Grindr does not verify the age of users, nor are they required to under US law, due toSection 230 of theCommunications Decency Act.[83]
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) filed two lawsuits alleging unfair labor practices with the US National Labor Relations Board.[40]
 | This sectionmay containirrelevant references topopular culture. Please help Wikipedia toimprove this section by removing the content or addingcitations toreliable andindependent sources.(March 2021) |
On June 28, 2009 (three months after Grindr's launch), British actor andtechieStephen Fry appeared on theBBC motoring programTop Gear and enthusiastically explained Grindr's intricacies to hostJeremy Clarkson and tried to find another Grindr user in the studio audience. Grindr founderJoel Simkhai later told a media outlet, "The impact [of Stephen Fry's mention] was instant. We had about 10,000 downloads overnight, increasing our base by 50 percent. Within a week we were up to 40,000. Someone once asked me if we paid Stephen Fry to mention us, but we didn't. Apparently one of the guys he works with is gay and showed it to him the week of his appearance."[84]London became Grindr's most active city in the world, and was so until at least late 2012.[85] In February 2013, journalist Jaime Woo called theTop Gear mention one of Grindr's warmest mentions in the media.[86]
In a July 2015 interview, American actorRob Lowe was asked if he was concerned that people would confuse his upcoming leading role in the legal comedy television seriesThe Grinder for being on the app Grindr. Lowe answered, "It could be a good thing! I'm very current. I'm culturally significant. I could be on the Grindr app."[87]
In November 2015, Lowe appeared onJimmy Kimmel Live and advertised the Grindr app as "a neat networking app that lets guys who like watchingThe Grinder meet with other guys in their area who also like watchingThe Grinder, so they can meet up to watchThe Grinder together!" He explained, "You just open the app and scroll through hundreds of men nearby who share your passion for bold network comedy." Lowe quickly found a match in the app and proclaimed "Oh this guy's DTF. So am I! Definite Television Fan," he clarifies. When his new acquaintance arrives in a leather vest and leather shorts, carryinglubricant and abanana, it becomes clear that the two had very different intentions for their evening together. "So," Lowe says, "if you likeThe Grinder, download the app today, and you, too, can make a new friend."[88]
In the March 21, 2013, episode of Americanmusicaltelevision seriesGlee titled "Guilty Pleasures," main characterSantana mentions Grindr to lead characterKurt after he says he ordered a "boyfriend pillow"online.[89][90]
In January 2014,HBO debutedLooking, an Americancomedy-drama television series that followed the professional and personal lives of threeopenly gay close friends living inSan Francisco, California. The series name is based on a term that originated in online platforms like Grindr to state or ask whether one iscruising for a hookup. Grindr was commonly referenced in the series, which ran for two seasons until its finale on March 22, 2015. In September 2019,The Guardian rankedLooking among the "100 Greatest TV shows of the 21st century".[91]
In the October 23, 2014, episode of Americanlegal thriller television seriesHow to Get Away with Murder, main characterConnor (an openly gay intern at a high-profilelaw firm) uses a gay hookup app called "Humpr" (a sly reference to real-life Grindr) to goad ajuror to admit that he is pro-cop in order to get himremoved from the jury of a case he istrying.[92]
Also in Europe, Grindr has been a pop-cultural reference point: in 2015 on the Danish seriesRita, the title character invites her son to speak at her high school about being gay, and in response to a question about how he knows who he can hit on, the 18-year-old says: “Well, you can always [just] give it a try. Or you can try to find someone on Grindr,” before taking out his phone to explain the app to the classroom. In 2016, the Norwegian seriesSkam began its third season with Isak coming out and downloading Grindr, on which he becomes quickly overwhelmed.[93]
In October 2016, two separate episodes ofHow to Get Away with Murder reference Grindr.Connor, the series' openly gay main character, offers a piercing critique of the racism, body shaming, and anti-femme rhetoric prevalent on "Humpr," the show's stand-in for Grindr.[94] In the next episode, Connor has thrown himself fully into Humpr, which he uses shamelessly in his boyfriend's presence.[95] While his colleagues investigate a case they're working on, Connor leaves to go meet two young men for ahookup. He checks both their IDs to confirm they are oflegal age before having sex.[96]
In the October 26, 2017, episode ofHow to Get Away with Murder, Connor turns to Humpr to look for a hookup after his boyfriend lets him down by having to stay at work overtime.[97] Journalist Anthony Gilét wrote of the scene, "After dropping out of law school, losing his job, beingdisowned by his father for hissame-sex relationship, and now feeling disappointment after having to scrap the romantic date he carefully set up for his love, Connor's naturally feeling a little lost—before turning to that accessible little app on his phone. This not only demonstrates how instantaneous sex can be another form ofself-destruction, but how we use sex as acoping mechanism, (and effectively, how easy it is to cheat on your boyfriend after a minor dispute)." The Humpr interface is shown on-screen and looks nearly identical to Grindr's. Connor chats with a man on the app about the size of his penis, and minutes later they meet up for sex.[98]
In the October 25, 2017 episode of Americanteen drama television seriesRiverdale, openly gay main characterKevin is caughtcruising for sex in the woods by two of his friends,Betty andMoose. Betty screams at him that he should have "more respect" for himself, shaming him for his risky lifestyle choices. Kevin yells back, "You act like we've got the same set of options!" and complains that he does not have a way to express his sexual desires. Betty asks, "Can't you just use Grind'em like every other gay guy?" (referencing the real-life Grindr app), and Kevin answers that he hates using Grind'em because people never look the same in person as they do online.[99] Moose, the school's popular hotjock andclosetedbisexual who used to hook up with Kevin, sounds off: "Guys like us, in a town like Riverdale, we don't have a lot of options. So, even if something bad could happen, we go for it. Because what if, for 10 minutes, or maybe even just for two minutes, we're not alone?" Journalist Anthony Gilét called the scene "deep" and wrote, "This really highlights how a lot of men within the gay community feel.Loneliness is so unbelievably common, that it's no wonder we meet up with strangers for a brief reenactment ofintimacy. And it even highlights why many of us are not as careful as we should be – especially in the height of Grindr-crime – because we're spurred by the fear of loneliness/desire foraffection."[98] The scene closes with Betty resolving to snitch to Kevin's dad (the town sheriff) about Kevin's cruising, thus ending their friendship.[100]
The June 30, 2014, episode of Americanreality court showJudge Judy involved a case between a 47-year-old plaintiff and a 23-year-old defendant who had met through Grindr. Judge Judy dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the money given to the defendant was a gift rather than a loan.[101]
In the April 21, 2015 episode of Americanreality television seriesThe Real Housewives of New York City, cast memberLuann de Lesseps informs fellow cast memberRamona Singer that Singer's estranged husband is active on dating sites. Singer says it does not bother her, but asks Luann, "What's the gay site called?" Luann replies, "Grindr?" Singer then asserts, "Maybe if he was on Grindr, that would bother me."[102][103]Bravo, the TV network that airs the series, teased viewers with a clip of the exchange to entice them to tune in to the episode.[104]
In April to August 2018, a recurring storyline on the third season of American reality television seriesThe Real Housewives of Potomac involved a cast member's husband's allegedextramarital affair with a young man on Grindr.[105][106][107]
In the November 2013,Netflix original comedyAziz Ansari: Buried Alive, American comedianAziz Ansari jokes about how Grindr'suser-friendly design makescasual sex so accessible for gay men but employing the same mechanism forheterosexual people would make women feel too unsafe for it to work. He says Grindr "might be the most incredible technology that's come out in [his] lifetime."[108][109]
In the July 2015, Americanromantic comedy filmTrainwreck directed byJudd Apatow and written byAmy Schumer, actorJohn Cena plays aclosetedbisexual character who mentions his use of Grindr when he gets into a verbal altercation with a man in a movie theater. After shouting several comedicgay innuendos at the man, Cena yells, "Fuck you,Tone Loc! You wanna take it to the parking lot? Fine! If you can't find me, I'll be the closest one on Grindr!" and then storms out of the theater.[110]
In the February 2019, Americanromantic comedy filmWhat Men Want directed byAdam Shankman, actressTaraji P. Henson plays a character who accidentally gains the psychic power to hear men's inner thoughts. Working as the only woman at an otherwise all-malesports marketing company, she especially wields her new power to help advance her career. In one scene, one of her stereotypical"manly man" coworkers debates whether to joinTinder or Grindr.[111]
American singerMadonna partnered with Grindr to promote her thirteenth studio albumRebel Heart in 2015. A contest was held, and five of the app's users were selected for an exclusive interview with the artist. The contest required re-creating the artwork forRebel Heart and posting it as a Grindr profile picture. Other winners received signed copies of the album.[112] Joe Stone fromThe Guardian considered this a "savvy" promotional method, allowing Madonna to connect directly with her gay audience.[113]
Several books have been published focusing on a variety of topics concerning Grindr; these include the influence of the app on society and how to navigate and use the app.[114][115][116]
Grindr is the official sponsor of FrenchTop 14 rugby clubBiarritz Olympique.
In 2022, Grindr became the sponsor for Travis Shumake, the first ever openly gay man to compete in aNational Hot Rod Associationdrag racing competition.[117]
the largest and most popular all-male location-based social network
TheTop Gear mention was one of the first for Grindr in the media and one of the warmest.
Karen throws the rumors about Michael in Ashley's face.
Karen refuses to apologize for saying she saw pictures of Michael on Grindr. Michael pulls out his passport and says to look for the stamp from England if [the rumors are] true.
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