What the settlement covers

Grindr reached an agreement on 2 September to pay £13m by the end of December and another £13m by March 2027. The payments resolve a class action that began in the UK High Court in 2024 and was later filed in the United States. The company stated the claims relate to data practices from its time under previous ownership.

Background of the allegations

The lawsuit claimed that Grindr shared sensitive information such as HIV status, ethnicity and sexual orientation with analytics firms Apptimize and Localytics. These companies reportedly used the data to tailor advertisements. The claims reference practices that ended after 2018 revelations about data sharing. Grindr has maintained that it stopped sharing HIV-related data with those providers following the disclosures.

Company response and changes

In its filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Grindr acknowledged distress among some users but disputed the allegations. The firm noted it has revised its privacy policies since 2020 to improve transparency and user control. It described the app as a safe space committed to responsible data handling.

Regulatory actions in other countries

Norway's data protection authority fined Grindr £5.5m over the same issues. The UK Information Commissioner's Office later issued a reprimand in 2022. Both actions focused on the pre-2020 period when the company was owned by Chinese firm Kunlun.

Claimants and legal representation

More than 11,000 people joined the class action led by law firm Austen Hayes. Lead lawyer Chaya Hanoomanjee stated that claimants experienced significant distress from the unauthorised sharing of private health information. The settlement provides compensation without requiring Grindr to accept fault.

Frequently asked questions

When will payments be made?

The first £13m instalment is due by 31 December 2026 and the second by 31 March 2027.

Does the settlement admit liability?

No. Grindr has not admitted any wrongdoing in the agreement.

Which users are covered?

The settlement applies to UK users who joined the class action involving data practices before 2020.

Why was HIV status shared?

The claims allege the data was used for advertising customisation by third-party analytics services.

What has Grindr changed since 2020?

The company states it has overhauled privacy controls and stopped sharing HIV data with the named analytics providers.