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Last week, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation fired shots at dating apps Tinder and Grindr by erecting the billboard seen in the above CBS Local clip, strategically placed just a few blocks from Tinder’s Los Angeles headquarters. The nonprofit cites recent studies, as well as a Vanity Fair‘s Tinder exposé, as evidence that — thanks to the convenience of hook-up apps — STDs are unequivocally on the rise.
As predicted, Tinder is not taking it well, and fired over a cease and desist to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation on Monday.
“These unprovoked and wholly unsubstantiated accusations are made to irreparably damage Tinder’s reputation in an attempt to encourage others to take an HIV test by your organization,” Tinder attorney Jonathan Reichman said in a letter to the foundation.
Grindr took a less aggressive stance, but has temporarily pulled the foundation’s STD paid testing ads on its app pending a reassessment of the relationship, stating that the company was “surprised at the approach” the AIDS Healthcare Foundation took.
“As one of the world’s largest gay platforms, we take this issue very seriously,” Grindr said. “At the end of the day, we are all on the same side in this issue, and strive to work with our partners and advocacy groups to achieve similar goals. A more connected and informed gay community is a better thing for us all.”
The rise of STDs in the past couple of years is hardly anecdotal evidence, but it seems that Grindr — unlike Tinder — is at least willing to address the issue. Given the hook up culture that’s been created by dating apps, however, it’s unknown what they can do beyond forcing customers to scan a condom before swiping right.
(Via New York Times)
