Roger-Luc Chayer (Image: Unknown source)
People from the LGBTQ+ communities are very familiar with the Grindr application which, since 2009, has offered a dating service with very practical and user-friendly features. Grindr is undoubtedly the most used application in the world for LGBTQ+ dating. But how does it work?
How it works?
To use it, you must first create a profile by registering with an email address or Facebook account. You then need to add photos, a brief description, and personal information such as age, height, weight, ethnicity, and what you are looking for (friends, dating, relationships, etc.).
Once your profile is created, you can explore the profiles of other users nearby based on your location. Grindr uses geolocation to display profiles closest to you. You can view profiles, send messages, photos, and even share your exact location with other users if you want.
Grindr also offers filtering features to narrow down your searches based on various criteria, such as age, ethnicity, intentions, etc.
The problem with Grindr is that, unless you turn the feature off, it uses your phone’s built-in GPS to show you everyone registered nearby and also makes you visible to others. . Grindr’s accuracy is such that you can realize someone is in your own building or, worse, in your own house!
« One day, while I was at home working, I looked at who was nearby on Grindr, as I often used it to do journalistic research on pedophilia on the web. I was surprised to see that a profile without a photo was indicated 10 meters from me At first, I told myself that it must be a neighbor connected nearby, until I went down to the basement to join my partner who was working. on his computer. I then looked at the distance again with this person, and she was now 2 meters away from me. My own partner was connected on Grindr, which significantly changed the course of our relationship, » Richard explains. from Montreal.
Although Richard’s example is regrettable, Grindr serves, in addition to spying on friends and spouses, to locate people who, unknowingly, become the objects of physical or material crimes, violent or not.
In 2023, Grindr was sued in California by a teenager from Nova Scotia in Canada who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by four men he met through the application. According to Buzzfeed.news, Grindr was sued by the young user then aged 15 who claimed to have been raped by 4 men over a period of 4 days after being cheated by the application.
Grindr and crime
Recently in Nice, in the south of France, several gay men were targeted via Grindr. They claim to have been threatened with a knife and beaten. According to Nicepresse.com, “First attack, on the evening of February 28. A Niçois, in his twenties, resident of the Libération district, invites another man of his age to his home, to, he thinks, have a good time Except that his « date » does not arrive alone, but with two armed accomplices, their faces hidden. The victim is threatened with a knife, while his valuables are stolen. Before leaving, a duplicate of his keys. is stolen, and the attackers threaten him with death if he gets the idea of calling Rebelote for help a few days later. There, it is another Grindr user who goes, obviously without suspecting him, to the. home of the attacker He was badly beaten there, but the national police were able, with the address, to quickly pick up all these beautiful people.
Geolocation in question
One of the most popular features of Grindr is undoubtedly its very precise location tool. Unfortunately, although knowing that an interesting profile is only a few dozen meters from home can be attractive, it also opens the way to location by malicious individuals, as happened to Sébastien a few years ago: » There was this guy who always communicated with me in the evening, I was new to Grindr and I didn’t know all the possibilities. The guy always came around to me and insisted that I invite him to my house. parents and 17 years old, I didn’t want to know anything about it But one night I didn’t respond to his messages and since I forgot to close my phone and deactivate Grindr, I looked during the night which was. on the site and there were lots of messages from the guy telling me that he was parked right in front of my house and that I could come join him in his car. I totally panicked, the GPS indicated that he was. 8 meters away from me in real time, I will always remember the beating of my heart because I was so afraid. He had managed to locate me by triangulation and by walking around, getting closer and closer to my location to the point that he knew exactly which house I was in », tells us Sébastien who then took advantage of the absence of his parents to contact 9-1-1 and request police intervention for harassment. The individual then immediately arrested and pleaded guilty to charges of stalking and harassment to receive an order to keep the peace for a year.
How to use Grindr safely?
Protect your privacy: Do not share sensitive personal information, such as your full address, phone number, or financial details. Use a pseudonym and avoid using photos that could reveal your identity.
Use privacy settings: Configure your privacy settings to control who can see your profile and information. You can restrict the visibility of your profile and manage geolocation settings.
Be careful with location information: Although the location feature can be useful, it can also pose risks. Consider turning off the geolocation feature when you’re not using it, or adjust settings to limit your location accuracy.
Check profiles with caution: Be alert for profiles that look suspicious or ask for personal information. Be wary of quick meeting requests and pushy behavior.
Meet in public places: When you decide to meet someone in person, choose public, well-lit places, like cafes or restaurants. Tell a friend or family member about your appointment and where you are going.
Trust your intuition: If something seems strange or uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to end the conversation or cancel a meeting. Your safety is the priority.
Report suspicious behavior: If you experience inappropriate behavior, threats, or harassment, report the behavior to Grindr through the app’s reporting features.
Use additional security features: Grindr offers features like profile verification and blocking options. Use these tools to improve your safety and comfort.
Grindr, yes but…
Like any dating tool, Grindr can be very useful for discovering people with similar orientations, tastes and passions in a specific region. Even in remote areas, Grindr allows LGBTQ+ people to break out of their isolation and create a circle of friends who share goals that are admittedly not always sexual. However, Grindr’s ease of access and use can also present some dangers that are important to be aware of. By using the application intelligently and securely, you will be able to take full advantage of it!