Grindr, the social networking app for gay, bi, trans and queer people, will disable its location feature within the Milano-Cortina Olympic Village during the Winter Games. The decision aims to protect LGBTQ+ athletes from what the company describes as “real safety risks”.
The platform usually allows users to see others nearby and their distance, but Grindr stated that in the Olympic context, “those same features may become a liability”. The company noted that athletes face intense global attention, and for gay athletes from countries where homosexuality is dangerous or illegal, visibility on the app could be harmful.
Grindr warned that someone outside the village could browse profiles inside, and distance data could be used to pinpoint exact locations. Appearing on Grindr also reveals a person's identity in over 60 countries where being gay remains a criminal offence.
The practice began at the 2022 Winter Olympics and continued at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. This year, a Winter Olympic record of 44 out LGBTQ+ athletes are expected to travel to Italy for the Games, which start on Wednesday.
Additionally, Grindr will disable its private video feature, which allows one-time viewing, within the village. The app will send weekly safety reminders and provide free access to premium features like disappearing messages, unsend ability, and screenshot blocking.
