Grindr Taking Safety Measures to Protect LGBTQ Athletes at Paris Olympics

Grindr, the popular gay dating app, has introduced enhanced privacy protections in the Olympic Village in Paris to safeguard LGBTQ athletes. This measure, announced on Wednesday, follows similar actions taken during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

In a blog post, Grindr explained the rationale behind the move: “If an athlete is not out or comes from a country where being LGBTQ+ is dangerous or illegal, using Grindr can put them at risk of being outed by curious individuals who may try to identify and expose them on the app.”

Grindr users within the Olympic Village will be unable to use features such as “explore,” “roam,” and “show distance.” However, they can share their approximate distance if they choose to. This restriction aims to prevent the unintentional revelation of athletes’ whereabouts, thus reducing the risk of exposure.

Grindr’s actions reflect a broader concern for the safety of LGBTQ individuals. According to Human Rights Watch, at least 67 countries have national laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults. The app’s enhanced privacy measures aim to protect athletes from these risks while allowing them to connect safely.

Past incidents underscore the importance of these precautions. In 2016, a widely criticized article from the Daily Beast involved a reporter using Grindr at the Rio Olympics to out athletes. 

Grindr’s latest privacy enhancements aim to prevent such situations and protect athletes from similar risks during the Paris Olympics, ensuring they can use the app without fear of being exposed.