The move comes amid a fresh clampdown from media regulator Ofcom targeting online sites that contain adult content. Earlier this year, an investigation by The i Paper revealed that at least 130 police reports of child abuse had been filed in the UK since 2019 relating to minors who accessed Grindr. Currently, users just need to provide their date of birth to open an account with no formal checks being required, leading to children as young as 12 signing up to the app.
Current users, who were recently informed of the new requirement via a pop-up message on the app, will be denied access until they have completed the mandatory checks, which are expected to be introduced “in the coming weeks,” according to the company.
On Thursday, Ofcom announced a raft of new online safety measures targeting sites and apps that host X-rated material, including porn sites and some social media platforms, as part of its work enforcing the Online Safety Act.
Victoria Green, chief executive of Marie Collins Foundation which campaigns against child abuse online, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see Grindr has committed to introduce age verification technology across their platform. The new measure will not impact user experience but will create a significant barrier for offenders who have previously used the app to abuse and exploit children.”
Under the measures, platforms will be required to enforce “highly effective” age checks from 25 July onwards to protect children from harmful content. If a company fails to comply with these measures, Ofcom can impose fines and – in serious cases – apply for a court order to prevent the site or app from being available in the UK.
Strict age checks have previously been criticised by some who believe they could result in an intrusion or breach of privacy. Grindr, for its part, says that any documents and videos provided during the age checking process will be securely encrypted and deleted once the checks are complete.
Grindr HQ in California – the company says it takes underage abuse extremely seriously (Photo: FG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
This paper’s investigation revealed earlier this year that in the first ten months of 2024, UK police forces received at least 13 reports of serious sexual offences allegedly perpetrated against children, including at least five reports of rape, where Grindr was listed as the first point of contact between the suspect and victim.
They said individuals could only download Grindr through the most age-restrictive settings on app stores intended for adult-only platforms and added “there is no place in society for abuse of minors, and we wholly condemn anyone who commits crimes against underage individuals”.
Match Group, which owns the dating apps Tinder and Hinge, gave no comment when asked if they would be introducing stricter age checks following Ofcom’s latest announcement.
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