Grindr, a popular hookup app, has agreed to a significant payout following the settlement of a lawsuit in the UK. The lawsuit alleged that sensitive user information, including HIV status, was shared with advertisers. The California-based company has agreed to pay approximately $48.6 million to around 12,000 individuals who joined the claim filed by London law firm Austen Hays in 2024.
The claim stated that prior to April 2020, Grindr violated UK privacy laws by sharing user data with other companies in exchange for payment or commercial benefits. This data included users’ HIV status, recent testing dates, results, and PrEP usage. The lawsuit claimed that this information was shared with third parties such as advertising companies Localytics and Apptimize, potentially leading to targeted ads based on users’ information.
Austen Hays emphasized that Grindr plays a crucial role in the LGBTQ+ community by facilitating dates and encounters for gay, bisexual, trans, and queer adults. The law firm stressed the importance of holding Grindr accountable and restoring confidence in how user data is handled.
Eligible claimants who used the free version of the app between 2016 and 2020 will receive approximately $4,050 each. The settlement, as per a recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, will be paid out in two installments, with the first half by the end of this year and the remainder by March 31, 2027.
Despite the settlement, Grindr stated in the SEC filing that it does not admit liability. The company acknowledged the distress and loss of trust expressed by some UK users regarding the period before 2020. This legal action in the UK followed a previous case where Norway fined Grindr for illegally sharing user data.
Grindr, touted as the largest social networking app for LGBTQ+ individuals, was previously owned by Chinese company Beijing Kunlun Tech Co. Ltd. Grindr was eventually acquired by private investors for $620 million US. The US government had ordered Kunlun to divest from Grindr due to data handling concerns.
Established in 2009, Grindr boasts over 15 million monthly active users globally. In its recent investor report, Grindr reported revenue of $138 million US in the second quarter of 2026.