Grindr, a prominent dating app within the LGBTQ+ community, is facing intense scrutiny following revelations linking it to numerous cases of child sexual abuse. An investigation has uncovered a disturbing trend of underage boys, some as young as 12, being targeted and abused by older men they encountered on the platform. While Grindr designates itself as an 18+ app, its age verification processes have proven inadequate, allowing minors to bypass restrictions and gain access to the platform. This has sparked widespread concern and calls for immediate action to protect vulnerable young users. The investigation uncovered at least 130 reports of sexual offenses against minors since 2019 where Grindr played a key role, including nearly 40 reports of rape. These figures are likely an underestimate as some police forces were unable to provide complete data.
The investigation highlighted numerous disturbing cases involving children being targeted on Grindr. One case involved a 12-year-
