Grindr: saving grace or enemy?
I thought this week’s reading, “Typhoon Grindr: love, liberation and post-disaster sex in the Philippines” written by Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong was probably one of, if not the most, bizarre stories we read. Who would’ve thought a disaster could create more of a selection for those using the Grindr app? But then saying it aloud, or typing that question out, actually makes perfect sense. More people in a given area, more chances some of those men use the Grindr app, more chances of native Filipino men making matches with men who just arrived in that area. Simple, yet, again, who would’ve thought. This story explained how after Typhoon Haiyan hit Tacloban, Philippines hard in November 2013. The city then welcomed an influx of professional aid workers, able-bodied gap year volunteers, and fellow Filipinos seeking opportunities and hoping to help in the recovery. Filipino men who were interviewed such as Levi and Jericho were explaining how the influx of volunteers led them to meet many new men from all around the world who came to volunteer. Sometimes they would hookup with these men and other times they would use Grindr to meet and form platonic relationships or friendships.
In the Philippines, Grindr was a saving grace for some for gay men; while in the U.S. Grindr has become the enemy. Brian Moylan, Journalist for The Guardian, explained recent article titled: “Grindr was a safe space for gay men. Its HIV status leak betrayed us” published Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 how exactly Grindr had betrayed thousands of Gay men who use it. Gay men have always sought after safe spaces whether that be gay clubs or bars. Grindr became another safe space for gay men everywhere only, this time, it was digital. Users just discovered on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018 that Grindr had been sharing their information including location and HIV status with third-party firms. Grindr’s chief technology officer Scott Chen said, “It’s important to remember that Grindr is a public forum.” While Moylan claims, “Gay men thought that Grindr was a safe space, where we were free to be ourselves away from judging eyes”. I understand both sides. But although this may not be seen as ethically right, as a public app with visible privacy terms and service, users should know that Grindr is linked to third parties and sharing data. This being said, all information shared on this app could be potentially shared elsewhere. If you do not want to run that risk, then simply do not use the platform. I am not condoning this highly sensitive HIV information being shared with third parties for Grindr to make an extra buck, but they are legally able to do so. Grindr’s users chose to sign up for this public app and, in doing so, chose to supply the app with their HIV status.
Irwin News link: http://www.irinnews.org/report/101968/typhoon-grindr-love-liberation-and-post-disaster-sex-philippines
The Guardian article link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/04/grindr-gay-men-hiv-status-leak-app
