Grindr

Grindr was launched as an iOS mobile app on March 25, 2009, by tech entrepreneur Joel Simkhai in Los Angeles, California.{{cite news|last=Kincaid|first=Jason|title=Gay Dating Makes Its Way To The iPhone|url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/03/25/gay-dating-makes-its-way-to-the-iphone/|access-date=September 16, 2013|newspaper=TechCrunch|date=March 25, 2009|archive-date=September 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925041439/http://techcrunch.com/2009/03/25/gay-dating-makes-its-way-to-the-iphone/|url-status=live}} The free version displayed 100 profiles of nearby men, while a premium version ($2.99 plus a monthly fee) contained no advertising and broadened the dating pool to 200 men.{{cite web |last1=LaVallee |first1=Andrew |title=App Watch: Grindr Says It's More Than a Hook-Up Service |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/08/17/app-watch-grindr-says-its-more-than-a-hook-up-service/ |website=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=News Corp |access-date=12 February 2020 |language=en |date=17 August 2009 |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810163022/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/08/17/app-watch-grindr-says-its-more-than-a-hook-up-service/ |url-status=live }} Cautious but generally positive reviews of the app circulated through the gay blogosphere on sites such as Queerty{{cite web |url=http://www.queerty.com/cruise-local-guys-via-gps-20090326/ |title=Cruise Local Guys On Your iPhone |work=Queerty |date=March 26, 2009 |access-date=October 5, 2011 |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918184226/https://www.queerty.com/cruise-local-guys-via-gps-20090326 |url-status=live }} and Joe My God.{{cite web |url=http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/03/q-location-right-behind-you-dude.html |title=Q: Location? A: Right Behind You, Dude |publisher=Joemygod.blogspot.com |date=March 26, 2009 |access-date=October 5, 2011 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814175901/http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/03/q-location-right-behind-you-dude.html |url-status=live }} By August 2009, there were 200,000 total users in Grindr's network. By March 2010, there were 500,000.{{cite web |title=GRINDR Adds More Guys With New App for Blackberry |url=https://southfloridagaynews.com/Technology/grindr-adds-more-guys-with-new-app-for-blackberry.html |website=South Florida Gay News |access-date=18 February 2020 |language=en |date=25 March 2010 |archive-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411005621/https://southfloridagaynews.com/Technology/grindr-adds-more-guys-with-new-app-for-blackberry.html |url-status=live }}

For its first anniversary on March 25, 2010, Grindr released the app for BlackBerry devices.

In January 2011, Grindr won the iDate Award for Best Mobile Dating App.{{cite web |url=http://blog.grindr.com/2011/01/grindr-named-%E2%80%98best-mobile-dating-site%E2%80%99-at-2011-idate-awards/ |title=Grindr Named 'Best Mobile Dating Site' at 2011 iDate Awards |publisher=Grindr |date=January 24, 2011 |access-date=October 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311215017/http://blog.grindr.com/2011/01/grindr-named-%E2%80%98best-mobile-dating-site%E2%80%99-at-2011-idate-awards/ |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

On March 7, 2011, Grindr launched the app for Android devices. Along with a free version, users could pay $4.97 for a premium version called Grindr XTRA that featured no banner ads, more profiles to choose from, more "favorites," and push notifications of messages received while the app is running in the background.{{cite web |last1=Van Grove |first1=Jennifer |title=Popular Gay Dating App Grindr Now on Android |url=https://mashable.com/2011/03/07/grindr-android/ |website=Mashable |access-date=18 February 2020 |language=en |date=7 March 2011 |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218195318/https://mashable.com/2011/03/07/grindr-android/ |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Danny|title=Some Sydney Grindr Accounts Reportedly Hacked|url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/01/some-sydney-grindr-accounts-reportedly-hacked/|access-date=September 16, 2013|newspaper=Gizmodo Australia|date=January 20, 2012|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403070125/http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/01/some-sydney-grindr-accounts-reportedly-hacked/|url-status=live}}

In January 2012, Grindr won TechCrunch's Crunchies Award for Best Location Application and two iDate Awards for Best Mobile Dating App and Best New Technology.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/events/crunchies-2011 |title=Crunchies 2011 – San Francisco – January 31, 2012 |publisher=TechCrunch |date=2012-01-31 |access-date=2013-11-06 |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625205158/https://techcrunch.com/events/crunchies-2011/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grindr-recognized-as-winner-of-techcrunch-crunchies-awards-and-2012-idate-awards-138515804.html |title=Grindr Recognized as Winner of TechCrunch Crunchies Awards and 2012 iDate Awards |website=PR Newswire |publisher=Cision |date=1 February 2012 |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014175548/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grindr-recognized-as-winner-of-techcrunch-crunchies-awards-and-2012-idate-awards-138515804.html |url-status=live }} In April 2012, Grindr won the About.com Readers' Choice Award for Best Dating App, after 74 percent of readers chose Grindr over Zoosk, SKOUT, Tagged, Tingle, and Are You Interested. In May 2012, the 2012 Webby Awards named Grindr an Official Honoree in its "Social (Handheld Devices)" category.{{cite web |title=2012 Social (Handheld Devices) winners |url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2012/mobile-apps/mobile-apps-categories-handheld-devices/social-handheld-devices/ |website=Webby Awards |publisher=International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527000922/https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2012/mobile-apps/mobile-apps-categories-handheld-devices/social-handheld-devices/ |url-status=live }} Fewer than 15% of entries submitted to the Webby Award committee that year received the Official Honoree distinction, which recognizes the best in Internet content, services, and commerce.{{cite web |title=16TH ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS OFFICIAL HONOREE SELECTIONS: Mobile |url=http://www.webbyawards.com:80/webbys/current_honorees.php?media_id=127 |website=Webby Awards |publisher=International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205064234/http://www.webbyawards.com:80/webbys/current_honorees.php?media_id=127 |archive-date=5 December 2012}}

On June 18, 2012, Grindr announced that it had officially hit 4 million registered users in 192 countries across the globe.{{cite web|last=Carmody|first=Sarah|title=Grindr's Global Dominance Hits 2m|url=http://mag.bent.com/news/grindrs-global-dominance-hits-2m/|work=bent News|publisher=bent|access-date=June 13, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110727132359/http://mag.bent.com/news/grindrs-global-dominance-hits-2m/|archive-date=July 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}

On July 22, 2012, after Grindr experienced a technical outage, British tabloid The People (now The Sunday People) reported that Grindr's crash was due to the volume of usage upon the arrival of Olympic athletes in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics looking for hook-ups.{{cite news |last1=Mudie |first1=Keir |title=Gay app Grindr crashes as Olympic athletes arrive in London |url=http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/07/22/gay-app-grindr-crashes-as-olympic-athletes-arrive-in-london-102039-23911190 |work=The People |date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723175727/http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/07/22/gay-app-grindr-crashes-as-olympic-athletes-arrive-in-london-102039-23911190 |archive-date=23 July 2012 |access-date=5 July 2020}} 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 to server demand.{{cite web |last1=Abad-Santos |first1=Alexander |title=No, Olympic Athletes Didn't Crash Grindr |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/07/no-olympic-athletes-didnt-crash-grindr/325570 |website=The Atlantic |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=23 July 2012 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706212120/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/07/no-olympic-athletes-didnt-crash-grindr/325570/ |url-status=live }}

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 reduce spam and improve portability. Critics argued it stripped the app of its anonymity.{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Casey |title=Overrun by spambots, gay dating app Grindr to end anonymous signups |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/26/4560338/hey-sexy-overrun-by-spambots-gay-hookup-app-grindr-to-end-anonymity |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=12 February 2020 |language=en |date=26 July 2013 |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101014809/http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/26/4560338/hey-sexy-overrun-by-spambots-gay-hookup-app-grindr-to-end-anonymity/ |url-status=live }}

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, and Twink. In addition to Tribes, Grindr users could now filter by Looking For.{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-new-grindr-zero-feet-away-225991411.html |title=The New Grindr: Zero Feet Away |website=PR Newswire |publisher=Cision |date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=May 6, 2014 |archive-date=April 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401045843/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-new-grindr-zero-feet-away-225991411.html |url-status=live }}

As of Grindr's fifth anniversary on March 25, 2014, the app was averaging more than 5 million active monthly users worldwide.{{cite web |title=Happy Fifth Birthday, Grindr! |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/happy-fifth-birthday-grindr-252229031.html |website=PR Newswire |publisher=Cision |access-date=5 July 2020 |language=en |date=25 March 2014 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713035540/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/happy-fifth-birthday-grindr-252229031.html |url-status=live }}

In January 2016, Grindr announced that it had sold a 60% stake in the company for $93 million to a Chinese video game development firm, Kunlun Tech Co Ltd (formerly Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd).{{cite web |last1=Russell |first1=Jon |title=Chinese Gaming Firm Buys 60% Of Gay Dating App Grindr For $93M |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/11/chinese-gaming-firm-buys-60-of-gay-dating-app-grindr-for-93m |website=TechCrunch |date=11 January 2016 |access-date=12 January 2016 |archive-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509002645/https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/11/chinese-gaming-firm-buys-60-of-gay-dating-app-grindr-for-93m/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|last=Isaac|first=Mike|date=2016-01-12|title=Grindr Sells Stake to Chinese Company|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/technology/grindr-sells-stake-to-chinese-company.html|access-date=2021-07-27|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727140310/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/technology/grindr-sells-stake-to-chinese-company.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web

|title=Kunlun Tech Co Ltd 300418.SZ

|url=https://www.reuters.com/companies/300418.SZ

|url-status=live

|access-date=2021-07-27

|website=Reuters

|language=en

|archive-date=July 27, 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727143610/https://www.reuters.com/companies/300418.SZ

}} In January 2018, Kunlun purchased the remainder of the company for $152 million.{{Cite news |last1=Morrison |first1=Caitlin |title=Grindr planning stock market listing as Chinese owner gives approval for float |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/grindr-stock-market-listing-gay-dating-app-kunlun-group-ipo-china-a8514476.html |work=The Independent |date=30 August 2018 |access-date=31 August 2018 |language=en-GB |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505210721/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/grindr-stock-market-listing-gay-dating-app-kunlun-group-ipo-china-a8514476.html |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/26/health/grindr-hiv-test-reminder.html|title=Grindr App to Offer H.I.V. Test Reminders|last=McNeil|first=Donald G. Jr.|date=2018-03-26|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-03-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327224850/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/26/health/grindr-hiv-test-reminder.html|url-status=live}}

In August 2018, the Kunlun executive board granted permission for an initial public offering for Grindr. In March 2019, Kunlun started seeking for a buyer of Grindr after the Committee 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-grindr-m-a-exclusive-idUSKCN1R809L|title=Exclusive: Told U.S. security at risk, Chinese firm seeks to sell...|date=2019-03-27|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-04-05|language=en|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407081423/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-grindr-m-a-exclusive-idUSKCN1R809L|url-status=live}} This also led Kunlun to halt its plans for an IPO for Grindr.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-grindr-m-a-exclusive-idUSKCN1R809L|title=Exclusive: Told U.S. security at risk, Chinese firm seeks to sell Grindr dating app|newspaper=Reuters|date=March 27, 2019|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407081423/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-grindr-m-a-exclusive-idUSKCN1R809L|url-status=live}}

In July 2019, Grindr released Grindr Unlimited, a new premium 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.{{cite web |last1=Street |first1=Mikelle |title=Now You Can Pay $50 Per Month for Grindr |url=https://www.out.com/tech/2019/7/25/now-you-can-pay-50-month-grindr |website=Out Magazine |access-date=5 July 2020 |language=en |date=25 July 2019 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705212446/https://www.out.com/tech/2019/7/25/now-you-can-pay-50-month-grindr |url-status=live }} 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 generic email interface and mimics computer file folders in place of user profiles.{{cite news |last1=Milton |first1=Josh |title=Stop the clocks, cut off the telephone, because you can now get Grindr on your desktop |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/05/05/grindr-web-desktop-computer-laptop-app-what-is-how |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=PinkNews |date=5 May 2020 |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715000011/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/05/05/grindr-web-desktop-computer-laptop-app-what-is-how/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-grindr-m-a-investors-exclusive-idUSKBN20T0IR|title=Grindr's Chinese owner says to sell social media app for $608 mln|newspaper=Reuters|date=March 6, 2020|via=www.reuters.com|last1=Oguh|first1=Echo Wang|access-date=May 9, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506120703/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-grindr-m-a-investors-exclusive-idUSKBN20T0IR|url-status=live}} Grindr's senior management and core employees would continue to hold 1.41% of the company's shares after the transaction.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-03-06/grindr-sold-by-chinese-owner-after-us-national-security-concerns|title=Grindr is being sold by Chinese owner after U.S. raises national security concerns|date=March 6, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 21, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403002228/https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-03-06/grindr-sold-by-chinese-owner-after-us-national-security-concerns|url-status=live}} Towards the end of the same year, Grindr was reported to have about 13 million monthly users.{{cite web|url=https://blog.grindr.com/blog/grindr-unwrapped-2020|title=Grindr Unwrapped: a Snapshot of Sex & Dating on Grindr in 2020|date=18 December 2020|website=Grindr|access-date=August 19, 2021|archive-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819043918/https://blog.grindr.com/blog/grindr-unwrapped-2020|url-status=live}}

Grindr announced it will go public via SPAC in May 2022.{{Cite web |last=Grothaus |first=Michael |date=2022-05-10 |title=Grindr goes public: What to know about the gay, bi, trans, and queer dating app's planned SPAC |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90750658/grindr-goes-public-what-to-know-about-the-gay-dating-apps-planned-spac |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512061618/https://www.fastcompany.com/90750658/grindr-goes-public-what-to-know-about-the-gay-dating-apps-planned-spac |url-status=live }} This came to fruition in November 2022, when Grindr went public on the New York Stock Exchange.{{Cite news |last=Kilgore |first=Tomi |title=Grindr stock rockets more than 100% after trading starts under new 'GRND' ticker |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/grindr-stock-rockets-more-than-100-after-trading-starts-under-new-grnd-ticker-2022-11-18 |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=MarketWatch |language=EN-US |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118175330/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/grindr-stock-rockets-more-than-100-after-trading-starts-under-new-grnd-ticker-2022-11-18 |url-status=live }}

In May 2023, Grindr relaunched Grindr Web limited only to XTRA and Unlimited subscribers. In August 2023, Grindr mandated that all remote 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's return to in-office work policy, in a damaging blow to employee retention. The Communications 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 the US National Labor Relations Board.{{cite web | title= Grindr fired half of its staff over office mandate |website= Fortune | url= https://fortune.com/2023/09/07/grindr-rto-fired-half-of-staff-return-to-office-mandate/ | date= 2023-09-08 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20230908212203/https://fortune.com/2023/09/07/grindr-rto-fired-half-of-staff-return-to-office-mandate/ | archive-date = 2023-09-08 |access-date=2023-09-06}}{{cite magazine |last=Harrington |first=Caitlin |date=2023-09-06 |title=Grindr's Return to Office Ultimatum Has Gutted a Uniquely Queer Space |url=https://www.wired.com/story/grindrs-return-to-office-ultimatum-gutted-a-uniquely-queer-space-in-tech/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906023645/https://www.wired.com/story/grindrs-return-to-office-ultimatum-gutted-a-uniquely-queer-space-in-tech/ |archive-date=2024-09-06 |access-date=2023-09-06 |magazine=Wired}}

In August 2017, Grindr launched its own in-house digital magazine, Into, which focuses on queer media and culture.{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/01/grindr-into-queer-media-values.html|title=The Lesson of Into|last=Brammer|first=John Paul|date=January 23, 2019|website=Slate|access-date=November 29, 2022|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129000142/https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/01/grindr-into-queer-media-values.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90802003/can-the-founder-of-grindr-make-a-better-grindr|title=Can the founder of Grindr make a better Grindr?|last=Ifeanyi|first=KC|date=November 1, 2022|website=Fast Company|access-date=November 29, 2022|archive-date=November 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102014352/https://www.fastcompany.com/90802003/can-the-founder-of-grindr-make-a-better-grindr|url-status=live}} 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. In January 2019, Grindr laid off the editorial staff of Into, citing a desire to "[shift] our focus to video content".

Into was revived in May 2021 by LGBTQ digital media company Q.Digital.{{cite web |date=2021-05-05 |title=Q.Digital Announces Relaunch of IntoMore.com |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/q-digital-announces-relaunch-of-intomore-com-869137763.html |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924200928/https://www.prweb.com/releases/q-digital-announces-relaunch-of-intomore-com-869137763.html |archive-date=2024-09-24 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Cision}}

In March 2021, it was announced that Grindr was stepping into the "original scripted content space" with a debut web series titled Bridesman.{{Cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Dino-Ray |date=2021-03-02 |title=Grindr Sets First Original Scripted Series 'Bridesman' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/grindr-first-original-scripted-series-bridesman-lgbtq-1234705155/ |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310194315/https://deadline.com/2021/03/grindr-first-original-scripted-series-bridesman-lgbtq-1234705155/ |url-status=live }} The series, created by John Onieal and directed by Julian Buchanan, went into production the same month and made its world premiere at the Outfest Film Festival on August 14, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Fallon |first=Kevin |date=2021-08-10 |title=Inside Grindr's First Original TV Series |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-grindrs-first-original-tv-series-bridesman |access-date=2022-03-10 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109113644/https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-grindrs-first-original-tv-series-bridesman |url-status=live }} The series consists of six episodes{{Cite web |date=2021-08-17 |title=Grindr's First Scripted Series 'Bridesman' Is Messy, Sexy, Gay Fun |url=https://www.pride.com/tv/2021/8/17/grindrs-first-scripted-series-bridesman-messy-sexy-gay-fun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818022740/https://www.pride.com/tv/2021/8/17/grindrs-first-scripted-series-bridesman-messy-sexy-gay-fun |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=Pride |language=en}} and stars Jimmy Fowlie, Sydnee Washington and Shanon DeVido. The show was co-written by John Onieal and Frank Spiro, and produced by Jeremy Truong and Katie White under Truong's company rubbertape.

In 2024, Grindr launched "Who's The Asshole?", a podcast hosted by drag queen Katya Zamolodchikova. Season 1 guests include Orville Peck, Jordan Firstman, Trace Lysette and Saucy Santana.{{Cite web |url=https://www.grindr.com/blog/grindr-presents-whos-the-asshole-a-new-sex-positive-podcast-hosted-by-katya|title=Grindr Presents: "Who's The Asshole?," A New Sex-Positive Podcast Hosted by Katya|access-date=September 30, 2024}} Season 2 guests include Adam Lambert, Cosmo Lombino, Gottmik, Bowen Yang, Brandon Kyle Goodman and Evan Ross Katz.{{Cite web |url=https://www.grindr.com/blog/butt-wait-theres-more--grindr-presents-whos-the-asshole-season-2-hosted-by-katya|title=Butt Wait, There's More—Grindr Presents: 'Who's The Asshole?' Season 2, Hosted by Katya|access-date=September 30, 2024}} Season 3 guests include Lisa Rinna, Christian Cowan, Gus Kenworthy, Zachary Zane, Megan Stalter, Joel Kim Booster and Jordy Shulman.{{Cite web |url=https://www.grindr.com/blog/third-leg-of-the-journey-grindrs-whos-the-asshole-season-3-adds-inches|title=Third Leg of the Journey: Grindr's 'Who's The Asshole?' Season 3 Adds Inches|date=February 6, 2025|access-date=March 6, 2025}}

=== Host or Travel ===

In 2024, Grindr launched its "Host or Travel" online travel series, which explores gayborhoods around the world.{{Cite web |url=https://mashable.com/article/grindr-host-or-travel-gayborhood-show-youtube|title=Grindr's 'Host or Travel' show helps you explore different 'gayborhoods'|work=Mashable|author=Tabitha Britt |date=September 13, 2024|access-date=September 30, 2024}}

Locations have included:

• Madrid, Spain
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Los Angeles, America
• Playa Zipolite, Mexico
• Berlin, Germany
• Malta

In February 2012, Grindr formed Grindr for Equality (G4E), a geotargeted political service designed to raise awareness of LGBT equality issues. Ahead of the 2012 U.S. elections, it encouraged users to register to vote and provided information about pro-LGBT candidates in their areas.{{cite web|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2012/10/grindrs-political-bedfellows.html|title=Grindr's Political Bedfellows|date=October 22, 2012|first=Justin|last=Snow|publisher=Metro Weekly|access-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025170543/http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2012/10/grindrs-political-bedfellows.html|archive-date=October 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web |title=Grindr for Equality Announces Middle East-North Africa Grant Winners |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grindr-for-equality-announces-middle-east-north-africa-grant-winners-300962818.html |website=PR Newswire |publisher=Cision |access-date=12 February 2020 |language=en |date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213000836/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grindr-for-equality-announces-middle-east-north-africa-grant-winners-300962818.html |url-status=live }}

File:Restrictions in Grindr app.svg

Grindr is not available in the following territories due to government bans or US government sanctions: Iran, Crimea, Syria, Pakistan, Cuba, North Korea and Sudan.{{cite web |title=Censored countries & regions |url=https://help.grindr.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500010811581-Censored-countries-regions- |access-date=12 June 2023 |website=Grindr |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127175229/https://help.grindr.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500010811581-Censored-countries-regions-}}{{cite web |title=PROXY STATEMENT FOR EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF TIGA ACQUISITION CORP. (A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY) |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1820144/000114036122039410/ny20004128x33_424b3.htm |website=Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=13 June 2023}} Furthermore, there are also restrictions in whole or in part in these countries: China, Indonesia, Turkey, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

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.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-12 |title=Grindr announces new rollout of safety features in countries where bigotry and hate puts users at risk |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/12/grindr-new-safety-features-gay-bi-homophobia-lgbt-hate-countries-scott-chen/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=PinkNews |language=en-GB |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515221833/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/12/grindr-new-safety-features-gay-bi-homophobia-lgbt-hate-countries-scott-chen/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Grindr Holistic Security Guide |url=https://www.grindr.com/g4e/G4E-HolisticSecurityGuide-English.pdf |website=Grindr for Equality |access-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325101454/https://www.grindr.com/g4e/G4E-HolisticSecurityGuide-English.pdf |url-status=live }}

Grindr has been criticized for not taking sufficient action to moderate the display of offensive, racist, and homophobic language by some of its users.{{cite web|last=Woo|first=Jamie|title=Open Letter to Grindr Users: I Am Not Rice, He Is Not Curry|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaime-woo/open-letter-to-grindr-users_b_3506180.html|work=HuffPost|access-date=16 September 2013|date=28 June 2013|archive-date=November 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125133627/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaime-woo/open-letter-to-grindr-users_b_3506180.html|url-status=live}} In June 2014, when asked about hateful speech on Grindr, the app's creator Joel Simkhai said in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that he "didn't like it" but he "[isn't] a sixth grade teacher" and it "[isn't his] job to police such things."{{cite web |last1=Halutz |first1=Doron |title=Israeli founder of Grindr talks about growing up gay and coming out to his family |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/culture/the-israeli-loins-behind-grindr-1.5253351 |website=Haaretz |access-date=4 July 2020 |language=en |date=26 June 2014 |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918184153/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/culture/the-israeli-loins-behind-grindr-1.5253351 |url-status=live }}

The app was criticized in the past for allowing users to sort users by ethnicity, which some thought was discriminatory. This was removed in June 2020, following social media complaints.{{cite news |title=Grindr removes 'ethnicity filter' after complaints |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52886167 |access-date=4 October 2021 |work=BBC News |date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004200916/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52886167 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Woodyatt |first1=Amy |title=Grindr says it's removing its 'ethnicity filter' in support of Black Lives Matter |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/tech/grindr-ethnicity-filter-intl-scli/index.html |work=CNN Business |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004200917/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/tech/grindr-ethnicity-filter-intl-scli/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hern |first1=Alex |title=Grindr dating app removes ethnicity filter to support Black Lives Matter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jun/02/grindr-dating-app-removes-ethnicity-filter-to-support-black-lives-matter |work=The Guardian |date=2 June 2020 |language=en |access-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004200916/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jun/02/grindr-dating-app-removes-ethnicity-filter-to-support-black-lives-matter |url-status=live }}

It has also found applications in drug dealing prompting the app developer to take actions on some emojis.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-29 |title='Swipe left for meth': Florida officials using dating apps to try to find drug dealers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/swipe-left-meth-florida-officials-using-dating-apps-try-find-drug-deal-rcna13908 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-11-15 |title=WeHo Public Safety Commission to Consider Ban on Sale of Meth Pipes |url=https://www.wehoville.com/2016/11/15/weho-public-safety-commission-consider-ban-sale-meth-pipes/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=WEHOonline.com |language=en-US}}

In August 2014, it was reported that Grindr's relative distance measurements could facilitate trilateration, thereby pinpointing individual users' near-exact location.{{cite news |last=Avari |first=Jamshed |date=20 August 2014 |url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/alleged-grindr-security-flaw-exposes-exact-location-data-endangers-users-1-579031 |title=Alleged Grindr Security Flaw Exposes Exact Location Data, Endangers Users |newspaper=Gadgets 360 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=15 September 2014 |archive-date=September 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916013545/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/alleged-grindr-security-flaw-exposes-exact-location-data-endangers-users-1-579031 |url-status=live }} A proof of concept was published, and more than 2 million detections were performed within a few days.{{cite web |url=https://grindrmap.neocities.org/ |title=GrindrMap |access-date=15 September 2014 |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918151134/http://grindrmap.neocities.org/ |url-status=live }} Authorities in Egypt allegedly used the app to track and arrest gay men.{{cite news |last = Culzac |first = Natasha |date = 17 September 2014 |title = Egypt's police 'using social media and apps like Grindr to trap gay people' |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/egypts-police-using-social-media-and-apps-like-grindr-to-trap-gay-people-9738515.html |newspaper = The Independent |access-date = 26 July 2016 |archive-date = January 19, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190119084522/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/egypts-police-using-social-media-and-apps-like-grindr-to-trap-gay-people-9738515.html |url-status = live }}{{cite news |last1=Sheils |first1=Conor |title=Egyptian Cops Using Grindr To Hunt Gays |url=https://www.cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Egyptian-Cops-Using-Grindr-To-Hunt-Gays |access-date=15 September 2014 |work=Cairo Scene |date=1 September 2014 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704011037/https://www.cairoscene.com/LifeStyle/Egyptian-Cops-Using-Grindr-To-Hunt-Gays |url-status=dead }} Grindr responded by temporarily disabling distance display globally.{{cite web |last1=Aravosis |first1=John |title=Gay smartphone app Grindr permanently disables "distance" option |url=https://gay.americablog.com/2014/09/gay-smartphone-app-grindr-permanently-disables-distance-option.html |website=AMERICAblog News |access-date=4 July 2020 |date=3 September 2014 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704215130/https://gay.americablog.com/2014/09/gay-smartphone-app-grindr-permanently-disables-distance-option.html |url-status=dead }}

In May 2016, a group of computer scientists from Kyoto University demonstrated how location pinpointing is still possible in the app even when a user is hiding their distance from public display.{{cite news |last=Greenberg |first=Andy |newspaper=WIRED Magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/05/grindr-promises-privacy-still-leaks-exact-location/ |title=Gay Dating Apps Promise Privacy, But Leak Your Exact Location |date=20 May 2016 |access-date=22 May 2016 |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403055541/https://www.wired.com/2016/05/grindr-promises-privacy-still-leaks-exact-location/ |url-status=live }} 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 any location-based service app that shows profiles of nearby users in order of proximity, not just Grindr.{{cite journal |last1=Hoang |first1=Nguyen Phong |last2=Asano |first2=Yasuhito |last3=Yoshikawa |first3=Masatoshi |title=Your neighbors are my spies: Location and other privacy concerns in GLBT-focused location-based dating applications |journal=ICACT Transactions on Advanced Communications Technology |date=April 2016 |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=851–860 |doi=10.23919/ICACT.2017.7890236 |arxiv=1604.08235 |s2cid=63563036 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315876094 |access-date=22 May 2016}}

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.{{Cite news |last1=Tau |first1=Byron |last2=Wells |first2=Georgia |date=2022-05-02 |title=Grindr User Data Was Sold Through Ad Networks |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/grindr-user-data-has-been-for-sale-for-years-11651492800 |access-date=2022-05-04 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504102639/https://www.wsj.com/articles/grindr-user-data-has-been-for-sale-for-years-11651492800 |url-status=live }}

In April 2018, a Norwegian non-profit research 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."{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/azeenghorayshi/grindr-hiv-status-privacy|title=Grindr Is Sharing The HIV Status Of Its Users With Other Companies|last1=Ghorayshi|first1=Azeen|last2=Ray|first2=Sri|date=2 April 2018|work=BuzzFeed|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402171601/https://www.buzzfeed.com/azeenghorayshi/grindr-hiv-status-privacy|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Coldewey |first1=Devin |title=Grindr sends HIV status to third parties, and some personal data unencrypted |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/02/grindr-sends-hiv-status-to-third-parties-and-some-personal-data-unencrypted |website=TechCrunch |access-date=4 April 2018 |date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710011021/https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/02/grindr-sends-hiv-status-to-third-parties-and-some-personal-data-unencrypted/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Wang |first1=Echo |last2=O'Donnell |first2=Carl |title=Exclusive: Behind Grindr's doomed hookup in China, a data misstep and scramble to make up |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-grindr-exclusive-idUSKCN1SS10H |website=Reuters |access-date=25 May 2019 |language=en |date=22 May 2019 |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516074525/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-grindr-exclusive-idUSKCN1SS10H |url-status=live }}

On January 14, 2020, a report was published by the Norwegian 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.{{Cite web|last=Burns|first=Janet|title=Data-Sharing By Twitter, Grindr, Tinder And Others 'Out Of Control,' Norwegian Council Says|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2020/01/14/data-sharing-grindr-twitter-tinder-other-apps-is-out-of-control-violates-gdpr-report-says/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204033744/https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2020/01/14/data-sharing-grindr-twitter-tinder-other-apps-is-out-of-control-violates-gdpr-report-says/|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=January 14, 2020|title=OUT OF CONTROL|url=https://fil.forbrukerradet.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-01-14-out-of-control-final-version.pdf|journal=Forbrukerradet|volume=|via=|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112003306/https://fil.forbrukerradet.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-01-14-out-of-control-final-version.pdf|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=2021-01-25|title=Grindr fined $11.7 million for illegally sharing private user information with advertisers|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/25/22249578/grindr-fined-norwegian-data-protection-authority|access-date=2021-01-26|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126202251/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/25/22249578/grindr-fined-norwegian-data-protection-authority|url-status=live}} After review from the Norwegian Data protection Authority, it was ruled that Grindr was in violation of the GDPR and fined €10 million.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-26|title=Norway to fine Grindr €10M over GDPR violations|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/norway-to-fine-grindr-e10-million-over-gdpr-violations/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=POLITICO|language=en-US|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126145739/https://www.politico.eu/article/norway-to-fine-grindr-e10-million-over-gdpr-violations/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Bouimadaghene|first1=Wassime|last2=Hunt|first2=Troy|title=Hacking Grindr Accounts with Copy and Paste|url=https://www.troyhunt.com/hacking-grindr-accounts-with-copy-and-paste/|access-date=5 Oct 2020|language=en|date=3 Oct 2020|archive-date=October 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004201444/https://www.troyhunt.com/hacking-grindr-accounts-with-copy-and-paste/|url-status=live}}

In April 2024, Grindr was the subject of a lawsuit lodged at the High 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.{{cite news |title=Grindr facing UK data lawsuit for allegedly sharing users' HIV status |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/grindr-facing-uk-lawsuit-over-alleged-data-protection-breaches-2024-04-22/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Reuters |date=22 April 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Singleton |first1=Tom |last2=Rahman-Jones |first2=Imran |title=Grindr sued for allegedly revealing users' HIV status |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj7mxnvz42no |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=BBC News |date=22 April 2024}}

Research has estimated that half of sexually active gay and bisexual adolescents use applications like Grindr.{{Cite news|title=How Grindr, A Popular Gay Dating App, Poses Exploitation Risk To Minors|language=en|work=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/08/03/1024108203/how-grindr-a-popular-gay-dating-app-poses-exploitation-risk-to-minors|access-date=2022-02-24|archive-date=February 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224193530/https://www.npr.org/2021/08/03/1024108203/how-grindr-a-popular-gay-dating-app-poses-exploitation-risk-to-minors|url-status=live}} Grindr does not verify the age of users, nor are they required to under US law, due to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.{{cite web | url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/national-news/2021/07/12/popular-gay-dating-app-grindr-poses-exploitation-risk-to-minors | title=Unseen, Part 3: Popular Gay Dating App Grindr Poses Exploitation Risk to Minors | date=July 12, 2021 | access-date=August 12, 2022 | archive-date=August 12, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812233120/https://www.wgbh.org/news/national-news/2021/07/12/popular-gay-dating-app-grindr-poses-exploitation-risk-to-minors | url-status=live }}

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) filed two lawsuits alleging unfair labor practices with the US National Labor Relations Board.

{{In popular culture|section|date=March 2021}}

Scholars such as Jamie Hakim, Sharif Mowlabocus and Andrew DJ Shield have explored Grindr culture in creating and regulating socio-sexual networks.{{cite book

| last = Hakim

| first = Jamie

| title = Work That Body: Male Bodies in Digital Culture

| publisher = Rowman & Littlefield

| year = 2022

| isbn = 9781783489801

}} These researchers assert that Grindr functions not only as a platform for casual encounters, but also as a tool for navigating queer life, especially in contexts where LGBTQ+ individuals face stigma or limited public visibility. Research topics include the following:

• Racial and body politics – Interactions on Grindr reproduce social hierarchies based on race, body type, age, and gender presentation. Researchers critique how profile language like "no fats, no fems, no Asians" reflects broader systems of exclusion and fetishization.{{cite book

| last = Shield

| first = Andrew DJ

| title = Immigrants in the Sexual Revolution: Perceptions and Participation in Northwest Europe

| publisher = Palgrave Macmillan

| year = 2017

| isbn = 9783319636641

}}

• Queer geographies – Grindr is seen as reshaping spatial and urban experiences by enabling users to locate each other in real time, effectively creating what scholars call "queer micro-geographies."{{cite book

| last = Mowlabocus

| first = Sharif

| title = Gaydar Culture: Gay Men, Technology and Embodiment in the Digital Age

| publisher = Ashgate

| year = 2010

| isbn = 9780754677162

}}

• Migration and precarity – Migrants and refugees use Grindr to find social support, and navigate integration.{{cite journal

| last = Shield

| first = Andrew DJ

| title = Immigrants on Grindr: Race, Sexuality and Belonging Online

| journal = Nordic Journal of Migration Research

| volume = 9

| issue = 3

| year = 2019

| pages = 210–225

| doi = 10.33134/njmr.491

| url = https://journal-njmr.org/articles/10.33134/njmr.491

}}

On June 28, 2009 (three months after Grindr's launch), British actor and techie Stephen Fry appeared on the BBC motoring program Top Gear and enthusiastically explained Grindr's intricacies to host Jeremy Clarkson and tried to find another Grindr user in the studio audience. Grindr founder Joel 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."{{cite news |last1=Watts |first1=Lawrence |title=Feature: The Grindr story |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/02/22/feature-the-grindr-story |access-date=4 July 2020 |work=PinkNews |date=22 February 2011 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706123215/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/02/22/feature-the-grindr-story/ |url-status=live }} London became Grindr's most active city in the world, and was so until at least late 2012.{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=James |title=Tabloid claims global Grindr outage caused by overactive Olympic athletes |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/07/22/tabloid-claims-global-grindr-outage-caused-by-overactive-olympic-athletes |access-date=5 July 2020 |work=PinkNews |date=22 July 2012 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706194201/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/07/22/tabloid-claims-global-grindr-outage-caused-by-overactive-olympic-athletes/ |url-status=live }} In February 2013, journalist Jaime Woo called the Top Gear mention one of Grindr's warmest mentions in the media.{{cite book |last1=Woo |first1=Jaime |title=Meet Grindr: How One App Changed the Way We Connect |date=8 February 2013 |isbn=978-0-9918702-0-2 |page=13 |chapter=Welcome to the Grindr Era |publisher=Lulu.com |quote="The Top Gear mention was one of the first for Grindr in the media and one of the warmest."}}

In a July 2015 interview, American actor Rob Lowe was asked if he was concerned that people would confuse his upcoming leading role in the legal comedy television series The 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."{{cite web |last1=Crossan |first1=Ashley |title='The Grinder' Star Rob Lowe Responds to Fans Thinking He's on Grindr |url=https://www.etonline.com/tv/167972_the_grinder_star_rob_lowe_responds_to_fans_thinking_he_s_on_grindr |website=Entertainment Tonight |publisher=CBS |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=15 July 2015 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706084122/https://www.etonline.com/tv/167972_the_grinder_star_rob_lowe_responds_to_fans_thinking_he_s_on_grindr |url-status=live }}

In November 2015, Lowe appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and advertised the Grindr app as "a neat networking app that lets guys who like watching The Grinder meet with other guys in their area who also like watching The Grinder, so they can meet up to watch The 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, carrying lubricant and a banana, it becomes clear that the two had very different intentions for their evening together. "So," Lowe says, "if you like The Grinder, download the app today, and you, too, can make a new friend."{{cite web |last1=Bacardi |first1=Francesca |title=Watch Rob Lowe's Accidental Grindr Ad for His Show The Grinder |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/715169/watch-rob-lowe-s-accidental-grindr-ad-for-his-show-the-grinder |website=E! Online |publisher=NBCUniversal |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=12 November 2015 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707011006/https://www.eonline.com/news/715169/watch-rob-lowe-s-accidental-grindr-ad-for-his-show-the-grinder |url-status=live }}

In the March 21, 2013, episode of American musical television series Glee titled "Guilty Pleasures," main character Santana mentions Grindr to lead character Kurt after he says he ordered a "boyfriend pillow" online.{{cite web |last1=Votta |first1=Rae |title=How Gay Was 'Glee': Guilty Pleasures |url=http://www.newnownext.com/how-gay-was-glee-guilty-pleasures/03/2013 |website=NewNowNext |publisher=Logo |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=22 March 2013 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707084434/http://www.newnownext.com/how-gay-was-glee-guilty-pleasures/03/2013/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Fisher |first1=Natalie |title='Glee' recap: 4x17 'Guilty Pleasures' |url=https://www.hypable.com/glee-recap-4x17-guilty-pleasures/2 |website=Hypable |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=23 March 2013 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301070935/https://www.hypable.com/glee-recap-4x17-guilty-pleasures/2/ |url-status=live }}

In January 2014, HBO debuted Looking, an American comedy-drama television series that followed the professional and personal lives of three openly gay close friends living in San Francisco, California. The series name is based on a term that originated in online platforms like Grindr to state or ask whether one is cruising 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 ranked Looking among the "100 Greatest TV shows of the 21st century".{{cite web |last1=Abbott |first1=Kate |last2=Davies |first2=Hannah J. |last3=Mumford |first3=Gwilym |last4=Seale |first4=Jack |last5=Harrison |first5=Phil |title=The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=16 September 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101054025/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |url-status=live }}

In the October 23, 2014, episode of American legal thriller television series How to Get Away with Murder, main character Connor (an openly gay intern at a high-profile law firm) uses a gay hookup app called "Humpr" (a sly reference to real-life Grindr) to goad a juror to admit that he is pro-cop in order to get him removed from the jury of a case he is trying.{{cite web |last1=Peacock |first1=William |title='How To Get Away With Murder' Review: Season 1, Episode 5 |url=https://blogs.findlaw.com/greedy_associates/2014/10/how-to-get-away-with-murder-review-season-1-episode-5.html |website=FindLaw |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=24 October 2014 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706162527/https://blogs.findlaw.com/greedy_associates/2014/10/how-to-get-away-with-murder-review-season-1-episode-5.html |url-status=live }}

Also in Europe, Grindr has been a pop-cultural reference point: in 2015 on the Danish series Rita, 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 series Skam began its third season with Isak coming out and downloading Grindr, on which he becomes quickly overwhelmed.{{cite book |last1=Shield |first1=Andrew DJ|title=Immigrants on Grindr: Race, Sexuality and Belonging Online |date=November 7, 2019 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jhC9DwAAQBAJ | publisher= Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019, p.30|isbn=978-3-030-30394-5 }}

In October 2016, two separate episodes of How 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.{{cite web |last1=Upadhyaya |first1=Kayla Kumari |title=HTGAWM smacks a client in the face, but the episode could've hit harder |url=https://www.avclub.com/htgawm-smacks-a-client-in-the-face-but-the-episode-cou-1798189012 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=6 July 2020 |language=en-us |date=7 October 2016 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707071819/https://tv.avclub.com/htgawm-smacks-a-client-in-the-face-but-the-episode-cou-1798189012 |url-status=live }} In the next episode, Connor has thrown himself fully into Humpr, which he uses shamelessly in his boyfriend's presence.{{cite magazine |last1=Ciammaichelli |first1=Christina |title=How to Get Away With Murder recap: Annalise Yells At Everybody |url=https://ew.com/recap/how-to-get-away-with-murder-season-3-episode-4 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Meredith Corporation |access-date=6 July 2020 |date=17 October 2016 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707180330/https://ew.com/recap/how-to-get-away-with-murder-season-3-episode-4/ |url-status=live }} While his colleagues investigate a case they're working on, Connor leaves to go meet two young men for a hookup. He checks both their IDs to confirm they are of legal age before having sex.{{cite web |last1=Barthwell |first1=Ali |title=How to Get Away With Murder Recap: Anna and Eve |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/10/how-to-get-away-with-murder-recap-season-3-episode-4.html |website=New York Magazine |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=6 July 2020 |language=en-us |date=14 October 2016 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707070743/https://www.vulture.com/2016/10/how-to-get-away-with-murder-recap-season-3-episode-4.html |url-status=live }}

In the October 26, 2017, episode of How 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.{{cite magazine |last1=Lenker |first1=Meredith Lee |title=How to Get Away With Murder recap: 'I Love Her' |url=https://ew.com/recap/how-to-get-away-with-murder-season-4-episode-5 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Meredith Corporation |access-date=6 July 2020 |language=en |date=27 October 2017 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809085714/https://ew.com/recap/how-to-get-away-with-murder-season-4-episode-5/ |url-status=live }} Journalist Anthony Gilét wrote of the scene, "After dropping out of law school, losing his job, being disowned by his father for his same-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 of self-destruction, but how we use sex as a coping 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.

In the October 25, 2017 episode of American teen drama television series Riverdale, openly gay main character Kevin is caught cruising for sex in the woods by two of his friends, Betty and Moose. 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.{{cite web |last1=McHenry |first1=Jackson |title=Riverdale's Cruising Story Line Finally Gives Kevin Keller Something to Do |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/riverdale-season-2-kevin-keller-gay-cruising-sex.html |website=New York Magazine |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=6 July 2020 |language=en-us |date=25 October 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707123900/https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/riverdale-season-2-kevin-keller-gay-cruising-sex.html |url-status=live }} Moose, the school's popular hot jock and closeted bisexual 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 of intimacy. 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 for affection."{{cite web |last1=Gilét |first1=Anthony |title='How To Get Away With Murder', 'Riverdale' Address Grindr-Obsession within the Gay Community |url=https://www.cocktailsandcocktalk.com/2017/11/how-to-get-away-with-murder-riverdale-address-grindr-obsession-within-the-gay-community |website=Cocktailsandcocktalk |access-date=6 July 2020 |date=4 November 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707184706/https://www.cocktailsandcocktalk.com/2017/11/how-to-get-away-with-murder-riverdale-address-grindr-obsession-within-the-gay-community/ |url-status=live }} The scene closes with Betty resolving to snitch to Kevin's dad (the town sheriff) about Kevin's cruising, thus ending their friendship.{{cite web |last1=Romero |first1=Ariana |title=This Riverdale Plot Line Highlights A Huge Problem With The Town |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2017/10/178578/kevin-gay-sex-cruising-riverdale-woods-season-2 |website=Refinery29 |publisher=Vice Media |access-date=6 July 2020 |date=26 October 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707070744/https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2017/10/178578/kevin-gay-sex-cruising-riverdale-woods-season-2 |url-status=live }}

The June 30, 2014, episode of American reality court show Judge 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.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Nate |title=Judge Judy Discovered Grindr on a Case That Aired This Week |url=https://people.com/tv/judge-judy-discovered-grindr-on-a-case-that-aired-this-week |website=People Magazine |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=1 July 2014 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706171847/https://people.com/tv/judge-judy-discovered-grindr-on-a-case-that-aired-this-week/ |url-status=live }}

In the April 21, 2015 episode of American reality television series The Real Housewives of New York City, cast member Luann de Lesseps informs fellow cast member Ramona 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."{{cite web |title=Real Housewives of New York Recap: Battle of the Brunches |url=https://tamaratattles.com/2015/04/21/real-housewives-of-new-york-recap-battle-of-the-brunches |website=Tamara Tattles |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707120246/https://tamaratattles.com/2015/04/21/real-housewives-of-new-york-recap-battle-of-the-brunches/ |url-status=live |author1=Tamaratattles }}{{cite web |last1=Veena |title=Real Housewives of New York City "Battle of the Brunches" |url=https://lynnfam.com/2015/04/22/real-housewives-of-new-york-city-battle-of-the-brunches |website=Lynn's Place |access-date=5 July 2020 |language=en |date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706165257/https://lynnfam.com/2015/04/22/real-housewives-of-new-york-city-battle-of-the-brunches/ |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web |title=#RHONY Spoiler Alert: Sexy J Strikes Again |url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/season-7/blogs/rhony-spoiler-alert-sexy-j-strikes-again |website=Bravo TV |publisher=NBCUniversal |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=20 April 2015 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706103234/https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/season-7/blogs/rhony-spoiler-alert-sexy-j-strikes-again |url-status=live }}

In April to August 2018, a recurring storyline on the third season of American reality television series The Real Housewives of Potomac involved a cast member's husband's alleged extramarital affair with a young man on Grindr.{{cite web |title=Ashley Darby's Husband's Alleged Gay Affair Exposed |url=https://www.thegoodteatime.com/single-post/2018/04/04/Ashley-Darbys-Husbands-Alleged-Gay-Side-Piece-Exposed |website=Good Tea |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=6 April 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301070929/http://ww1.thegoodteatime.com/?subid1=01a292f4-b800-11ed-9ca1-883b2e472815&backfill=0&kw1=Entertainment+News+Media+Monitoring+Tools&kw2=Latest+News+And+Press+Release+Submissions&kw3=Celebrity+Stock+Photos |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Barthwell |first1=Ali |title=The Real Housewives of Potomac Recap: Free Uncle Ben |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/rhop-recap-season-3-episode-7.html |website=New York Magazine |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=6 July 2020 |language=en-us |date=14 May 2018 |quote="Karen throws the rumors about Michael in Ashley's face." |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707064601/https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/rhop-recap-season-3-episode-7.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Barthwell |first1=Ali |title=The Real Housewives of Potomac Recap: What Does a Masseuse Do? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/the-real-housewives-of-potomac-recap-season-3-episode-20.html |website=New York Magazine |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=5 July 2020 |language=en-us |date=20 August 2018 |quote="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." |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707093214/https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/the-real-housewives-of-potomac-recap-season-3-episode-20.html |url-status=live }}

In the November 2013, Netflix original comedy Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive, American comedian Aziz Ansari jokes about how Grindr's user-friendly design makes casual sex so accessible for gay men but employing the same mechanism for heterosexual 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."{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Julie |title=Aziz Ansari on His Comedy Special Buried Alive, Romantic Relationships, and Getting Intimate with an Audience |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/11/aziz-ansari-buried-alive-interview |website=Vanity Fair |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=5 July 2020 |date=11 November 2013 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131131/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/11/aziz-ansari-buried-alive-interview |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Aziz Ansari- Grindr App |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2iau0v |website=Dailymotion |access-date=5 July 2020 |language=en |date=27 February 2015 |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619202755/http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2iau0v |url-status=live }}

In the July 2015, American romantic comedy film Trainwreck directed by Judd Apatow and written by Amy Schumer, actor John Cena plays a closeted bisexual character who mentions his use of Grindr when he gets into a verbal altercation with a man in a movie theater. After shouting several comedic gay 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.{{cite web |title=Trainwreck (2015): John Cena |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3152624/characters/nm1078479 |website=IMDb |publisher=Amazon |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516150316/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3152624/characters/nm1078479 |url-status=live }}

In the February 2019, American romantic comedy film What Men Want directed by Adam Shankman, actress Taraji 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-male sports 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 join Tinder or Grindr.{{cite web |last1=Howard |first1=Katie |title="What Men Want" utilizes comedy to reveal real gender bias problems in the workplace |url=https://www.inklingsnews.com/arts-and-entertainment/2019/03/20/what-men-want-utilizes-comedy-to-reveal-real-gender-bias-problems-in-the-workplace-2 |website=Inklings News |access-date=6 July 2020 |date=20 March 2019 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708194849/https://www.inklingsnews.com/arts-and-entertainment/2019/03/20/what-men-want-utilizes-comedy-to-reveal-real-gender-bias-problems-in-the-workplace-2/ |url-status=live }}

American singer Madonna partnered with Grindr to promote her thirteenth studio album Rebel 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 for Rebel Heart and posting it as a Grindr profile picture. Other winners received signed copies of the album.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madonna-turns-to-grindr-for-rebel-heart-contest-237582/|title=Madonna Turns to Grindr for 'Rebel Heart' Contest|date=February 12, 2015|access-date=February 13, 2015|first=Jon|last=Blistein|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214160246/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-turns-to-grindr-for-rebel-heart-competition-20150212|archive-date=February 14, 2015}} Joe Stone from The Guardian considered this a "savvy" promotional method, allowing Madonna to connect directly with her gay audience.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/12/madonna-grindr-game-embraces-the-pink-pound-perfectly|title=Why Madonna's Grindr contest is a savvy appeal to the 'pink pound'|date=February 12, 2015|access-date=February 13, 2015|first=Joe|last=Stone|journal=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213091135/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/12/madonna-grindr-game-embraces-the-pink-pound-perfectly|archive-date=February 13, 2015}}

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.{{Cite book|last=Woo|first=Jaime|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/858604180|title=Meet Grindr : how one app changed the way we connect|year=2013|isbn=978-0-9918702-0-2|location=[Canada]|oclc=858604180}}{{Cite web|title=Grindr Survivr|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34732928-grindr-survivr|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.goodreads.com|archive-date=June 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605025040/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34732928-grindr-survivr|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Immigrants on Grindr by Andrew DJ Shield {{!}} Waterstones|url=https://www.waterstones.com/book/immigrants-on-grindr/andrew-dj-shield/9783030303969|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.waterstones.com|language=en|archive-date=May 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515102639/https://www.waterstones.com/book/immigrants-on-grindr/andrew-dj-shield/9783030303969|url-status=live}}

Grindr is the official sponsor of French Top 14 rugby club Biarritz Olympique.

In 2022, Grindr became the sponsor for Travis Shumake the first ever openly gay man to compete in a National Hot Rod Association drag racing competition.{{cite web | url=https://www.out.com/sports/2022/8/17/meet-travis-shumake-grindr-sponsored-first-out-gay-pro-drag-racer#media-gallery-media-1 | title=Meet Travis Shumake, the Grindr-Sponsored First Out Gay Pro Drag Racer | date=August 17, 2022 | access-date=September 7, 2022 | archive-date=September 7, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907170027/https://www.out.com/sports/2022/8/17/meet-travis-shumake-grindr-sponsored-first-out-gay-pro-drag-racer#media-gallery-media-1 | url-status=live }}

{{Portal|Internet|Human sexuality|Society}}

• List of LGBT social networking services
• Timeline of online dating services
• Homosocialization
• Tinder
• Blendr
• Spoonr
• Stephen Port, known as The Grindr Killer

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.grindr.com}}
• [https://www.datingsitesreviews.com/staticpages/index.php?page=grindr-statistics-facts-history Grindr Information] from DatingSitesReviews

{{LGBT social networking services}}

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