Grindr is ‘fuelling’ spread of STIs, charity warns

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A charity has warned that hookup apps including Tinder and Grindr are fuelling a boom in sexually transmitted infections.

Users of hookup apps – which are increasingly popular with gay men – were linked to for a number of outbreaks of syphilis outbreaks in 2012, according to Public Health England.

Peter Greenhouse of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV told the Mail: “Thanks to Grindr or Tinder, you can acquire chlamydia in five minutes.

“You don’t have to be a genius to work out that these sorts of apps make having casual sex a damn sight easier.

“You can find, down to a metre or two, the nearest available person who is interested. This is something that just hasn’t been available before.”

Public Health England said: “The only way to get protection from STIs is to practise safer sex.”