![]() Many Grindr users are concerned that the app exposes their locations. But the reality, he noted, is that anyone - even those who don’t know how to code - can obtain Grindr users’ locations without their knowledge. “Users of location-based dating apps often assume that they only share their information with other men nearby them,” S.P. After first defending its decision, Grindr eventually stopped sharing the information with third-party analytics firms. In April, BuzzFeed News reported that the app was letting other companies see users’ HIV status. It’s not the first time Grindr has exposed sensitive information. Because users input their legitimate Grindr username and password in order to access the Fuckr app, it’s unclear whether it’s possible for Grindr to close the loophole that gives Fuckr access to its data. Grindr did not respond to BuzzFeed News’ inquiry regarding why Fuckr, an unauthorized third-party, is able to access Grindr’s private API. They reveal their exact location, alongside photos and other information available on Grindr profiles, including body type, ethnicity, HIV status, last HIV test, and sexual position preference.Īdditionally, while the app does hide location by default for users in some countries where LGBT people are persecuted, Queer Europe found that location is still enabled by default in other places where the LGBT community faces discrimination: Algeria, Turkey, Belarus, Ethiopia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Azerbaijan, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, according to Queer Europe, applications like Fuckr don’t simply use Grindr’s location data to “approximate” users’ locations. In a statement to BuzzFeed News, Grindr president Scott Chen argued that the app’s geolocation feature is “core to our platform and user experience,” but also acknowledged that “there are inherent challenges in the use of any app that utilizes or relies upon location information.” Chen added, “Additionally, we currently utilize a geohash system, which approximates, rather than ‘pinpoints,’ all location information.” He also said that Grindr “will continue trying to evolve and improve our platform,” but did not specify how. Neither Grindr nor Github responded to request for comment about Fuckr’s takedown. Queer Europe also confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the Fuckr application remains operational and can still make requests for up to 600 Grindr users’ locations at a time. However, dozens of “forks” (modified versions) of the app are still available on GitHub. GitHub, which has hosted the Fuckr repository since it was released in 2015, disabled public access to the app shortly after the Queer Europe post published, citing Fuckr’s unauthorized access to the Grindr API.
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