Finding dates with your cell phone has become all the rage these days, with apps like Tinder and Grindr allowing people to quickly swipe and match with prospective partners in a matter of seconds.
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The foundation’s billboard shows a silhouette of a man labeled “Tinder” face-to-face with a woman labeled “chlamydia”. But does that mean staying off extremely popular mobile dating apps? In a cease and desist letter sent to the foundation, Tinder attorney Jonathan Reichman said that the accusations “are made to irreparably damage Tinder’s reputation in an attempt to encourage others to take an HIV test by your organization”.
Neither Tinder nor Grindr responded to request for comment, according to CBS Los Angeles.
The site FreeSTDCheck.org and AIDS Health Foundation is leveraging the popularity of these dating apps to get the word out about getting yourself checked out for a sexually transmitted disease. They also mentioned a May report by the Rhode Island Department of Health that found cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV shot up between 2013 and 2014.
In a press release, AHF also noted a September 2015 Vanity Fair article entitled “Tinder and the Dawn of the “Dating Apocalypse” that explored the role mobile dating apps are increasingly playing in encouraging casual sex among young adults. The footing said the location-based courting app uniquely for homosexual guys has nullify its paid for campaign promotion on cost free STD assesments located on the Grindr portal.
Cordova warned users of these apps to be vigilant about maintaining their own health. Instead, it cited articles and studies showing the link between dating apps, casual sex and the increased incidences of STD.
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The most popular hookup app for young people is fighting back against allegations that it promotes the spread sexually-transmitted diseases. The billboard also includes the URL ‘FreeSTDCheck.org.’ The billboard does not expressly equate the social apps with STDs, but encourages users to think about whether their use has put them at risk, and gives them information on where to get tested. One billboard was placed near Tinder’s West Hollywood office, and people from the company are not happy. “A more connected and informed gay community is a better thing for us all”.
