Grindr announces new rollout of safety features in countries where bigotry and hate puts users at risk
Grindr. (Leon Neal/Getty)
Dating app Grindr has announced it will roll out a string of new safety features across countries where the LGBT+ community is at risk by extreme homophobic laws and attitudes to better protect them.
From unending messages to temporary photos, the security measures will ensure that users in patches of the world where simply existing invites danger and prosecution.
The features aim to give users more control over the visibility of their profiles, Cision PR Newswire reported.
What will the safety features consist of?
According to the bulletin, Grindr will introduce the ability for users to “unsend” messages to erase the conversation.
Sent photos also have the option to expire, meaning images will be removed from the app as a safety precaution automatically.
Screenshot blocking spread across chats, photos and profiles can also be applied. This will minimise the possibility that users can be identified through the content they share.
“As Grindr has grown to become a vital part of the gay, bi, trans, and queer community, we feel a responsibility to provide important information and evolving tools to facilitate our users’ safe dating experience,” said Scott Chen, president of Grindr.
“Our work in improving the well-being for the LGBTQ community around the globe is far from finished, but we are proud of these additional features to help provide a safer platform for our users.”
Grindr hope to improve the ‘quality of life’ of its users across the world.
Moreover, Grindr will launch a ‘Holistic Survival Guide’.
The three-part manual will cover digital security, personal safety and emotional well-being when using the app.
It will debut in six available languages – English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Nigerian Pigin – and was the combined effort of LGBT+ activists dotted around the world.
The Holistic Security Guide will be found in two formats.
The first is in the form of a FAQ much like Grindr’s Sexual Health Resource Center (SHRC) and the Gender Identity Resource Center (GIRC).
The second is a standalone report written by Azza Sultan, Associate Director of Grindr for Equality, which can be found on Grindr for Equality’s website.
“We are so proud to introduce these new security features, along with the Holistic Security Guide, as we continue to promote safety and justice for our users around the globe,” said Jack Harrison-Quintana, director of Grindr for Equality.
“We are grateful for the feedback from users and the various organizations and activists around the world who have helped us to continue improving the quality of life for Grindr users.”
