Users of gay hook-up app Grindr have complained about anti-Zionism and alleged antisemitism on the service – but to no avail, one angry user has told the JC.
The user of the location-based LGBTQ+ dating service told the JC they had reported one person who displayed the message “No H&H/racism/transphobia/Zionism”.
“H&H” is gay slang for high and horny, which implies sex accompanied by drug use.
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When the user reported the profile, he received a notification from app moderators which said: “Violations of our community guidelines may result in censored content, a warning, or an account ban. We have investigated your report and have taken appropriate action against this user.”
However, the account was subsequently seen on Grindr with the same anti-Zionist text. When the user complained again, moderators told them: “We will not be taking any action.”
The user said, “this is an incredibly poor response” and accused Grindr moderators of “letting antisemitism go unchallenged”.
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Jewish and Israeli users have spoken about receiving abusive messages on the app and claim that moderators have not done enough to stop anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist abuse.
“Having the Israeli flag in your bio while they commit a genocide is not a cute look,” said one user. Another asked a user if their Magen David necklace meant they were “pro-Zionists yes or no?”
Outcry over widespread anti-Israel discrimination on Grindr mirrors the anti-Israel profiles found on other mainstream dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Feeld. Last month, the JC shed light on the toll this has taken on Jewish singles.
Grindr is the most popular dating app for gay men in the world. It was founded in 2009 by Israeli-American tech entrepreneur Joel Simkhai.
Grindr Founder & former CEO Joel Simkhai (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Simkhai sold his stake in the company in 2018 to Chinese gaming company Kunlun Group Limited, which acquired the app for $600m. Today, the app is a billion-dollar behemoth in the gay hookup economy.
Grindr was approached for comment.
