Dating Apps Like Tinder And Grindr Come Under Fire On New Billboard Suggesting They Promote STDs
LOS ANGLES (CBSLA.com) — A new billboard has lots of folks in Los Angeles buzzing about sex, safe sex, online hookups and apps.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is taking the popular online dating apps Tinder and Grindr to task -- suggesting their users are more susceptible to STD's like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
One of the billboard's is strategically placed. KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner said the billboard is a few blocks from Tinder's Beverly Boulevard headquarters.
Tinder could hardly miss the sign. The billboards are also accusing the sites of promoting a hook up culture.
"I saw it and I was like yep, that's what it is now," says Rachel Cross who said she was an early Tinder user.
"Tinder's great for meeting people that just want to have sex," said a man name Nick.
Tinder is reportedly fighting back. They allegedly sent a cease and desist letter to the AHF.
West Hollywood's John Demille was diagnosed with AIDS several years ago.
"I live with AIDS," he says.
Demille is all in favor of the billboards.
"I think the AIDS Healthcare Foundation has to do what they have to do to keep all young people safe that are doing these new apps now," Demille said.
The foundation claims more people are getting STDs because more people are using these apps -- the senior director even saying they make casual sex as easy as ordering a pizza.
"Some of the people that message me don't want to be safe," says Grindr user Brandon Wild, "but that's in me to be safe."
Kastner reached out to both Tinder and Grindr for an official response, but has not heard back.