Grindr considering “digital quarantine” to filter by HIV status
Grindr is surveying users regarding adding an HIV status filter to the app
Grindr is currently surveying users to determine if a filter for HIV status should be included as part of the app.
The survey, which is only being offered to certain users currently, predominantly focuses on HIV and the merits of including an option in Grindr for users to serosort their potential hookups. Blogger Josh Robbins took screenshots of the survey, showing the range of questions on offer:
The survey also asked users whether they’re taking medication for their HIV, user awareness of various terminologies, such as “No Anal,” “Poz-Friendly,” “No PnP,” and “Serosorting,” and what term they prefer: undetectable, treatment as prevention, or other.
“I am concerned about the possible direction of creating an environment on Grindr, by Grindr, of not encouraging disclosure,” Robbins writes, “and creating a false sense of HIV prevention by filtering out those that honestly admit to living with HIV.”
Daniel Reeders, a writer at Bad Blood, goes further in his criticism of Grindr’s proposed filter system, noting that on other sites, such as BarebackRT and Manhunt, users can already filter other users by HIV status in selecting certain search options that would exclude HIV-positive individuals.
“It is a completely different ballgame for the makers of an app to build in a feature that effectively facilitates digital quarantine of people living with HIV,” Reeders writes. “It signals that HIV stigma is normal and rational.”
Reeders questions how such a filter might be implemented, whether it would make those users whose HIV status didn’t match an individual’s preference invisible, or automatically block them. The latter option — should it be used en masse — would “constitute a form of digital quarantine that leaves people with HIV outcast and invisible.”
Reeders is damning in his summation of the survey — and any potential HIV-focused filter.
“Grindr needs to cut this out. Right now,” he writes. “We are living in an era of effective prevention medication. We should not be reinforcing categories that are used in less effective strategies for prevention.”
However, the survey does contain one slightly encouraging potential update to Grindr. Users are asked whether they would enable a reminder that alerts them to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases at regular intervals. If enabled, it would offer a powerful tool in helping the estimated 13% or so of people who are living with HIV and are unaware of their status to get tested.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.