Sextortion that occurs on the Grindr dating app has proven to be a serious problem. At DFC, we have seen a meteoric rise in the number of victims who come to us to report blackmailers they met on this app. The increase is not surprising considering that their 14.6 million users are looking for rewarding and genuine connections on this app(1), making them a prime target for scammers. That’s why Grindr community needs to take precautions and work with the right individuals to deal with this disagreeable situation.
The Factors That Put Grindr Users at Greater Risk for Sextortion and Online Blackmail
Grindr is drastically different from other dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble. To start, users are not required to use profile pictures, display their age, or verify it. These shortcomings in their security system increase its users’ exposure exponentially.
A Focus on Anonymity
Although Grindr protects user anonymity, which is beneficial for those who don’t want to be recognized, it also leaves the app vulnerable to cybercriminals and puts their users at risk for scams like sextortion, blackmail, and other cyber extortion techniques.
Prevalence of Explicit Content Sharing
Grindr has been committed to sex-positivity, implementing guidelines that enable the sharing of explicit content. However, sextortion scammers may take the content you share in your albums and messages.
Location-Based Targeting
The core feature of Grindr is its location-based dating software, which matches users nearby based on their device’s location. However, the roaming feature in the Grindr App allows any user to set a different location. A feature meant to allow travelers to explore new cities for upcoming trips has become a major security issue. The use of VPN’s also enables anyone to set their location differently in the Grindr app. This is how a scammer can easily set their location as in your area even from a separate country.
Weaker Security Features & Reporting
Grindr’s security flaws serve as a reminder that data protection is essential, not optional. Since its launch, the platform has been involved in multiple data breaches, sextortion cases, and lawsuits over its security and privacy features.
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TOP RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF ONLINE BLACKMAIL
User Base
Users have also raised concerns about being outed on the app. Scammers are aware of this group of users, who are afraid of their family, friends, and coworkers discovering their personal sexual preferences.
Being outed as a member of the LGBTQ+ can still lead to issues or even violence, making the use of apps like Grindr particularly dangerous when users do not take proper steps to stay safe and avoid catfish accounts. Just like the case of a Senior UK Lawmaker William Wragg who fell victim to sextortion on Grindr(2) scammers. The security breach that followed in this poor man’s case of extortion lead to irreversible damage to his professional career.
Resources For Victims of Grindr Sextortion.
If you or someone close to you is a victim of Grindr Sextortion, here are some resources to help you:
- Report the incident to Grindr’s System Administrators: Reporting the account may not help in preventing exposure, but it does prevent future harassment on the application and potentially saves other users from falling for the same scam.
- Contact local law enforcement. Based on their advice you will likely want to report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Compliant Center (IC3) (3)
- If you are looking for additional assistance, including methods that may help prevent exposure, you may wish to contact a cyber security firm. These companies offer a range of services that help prevent exposure and future incidents.
The Role of Technology in Combating Sextortion.
As the world speeds toward an uncertain future, the need to address the challenge of cybercrime grows ever more pressing. Since the 1990s, it has been difficult for law enforcement to catch up with abrupt technological advancements.
This has also been delayed due to concerns about ethics in sharing data across organizations and whether the efforts are enough to stop these scams. Despite these challenges, it’s undeniable that technology has made it easy to report and document online threats such sextortion and blackmail.
Get Help From Digital Forensics Corp.
Many victims of Grindr Sextortion simply report the incident to the local police or the platform. However, we’re here to tell you that there are other effective solutions to stop this online blackmail. Removing the blackmailer’s leverage is the best and safest approach to stop the threats and the pressure of outing. And Digital Forensics Corp. is an expert in the field.
We can help locate and identify these criminals to ensure their attempts fail. If you’re a victim, gather as much evidence as possible and reach out to our Sextortion Helpline. Our cybersecurity team can confront the perpetrator on your behalf, ensuring the threats stop and preventing you content from exposure.
Resources:
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1412524/grindr-annual-mau/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68762808
- https://www.ic3.gov/
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER. DIGITAL FORENSICS CORP. IS NOT A LAWFIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR SERVICES. By viewing posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship, the post should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.
The information presented in this article is based on sources that are not readily available to the public and may be subject to restrictions or confidentiality. It is intended for informational purposes only.
