LGBTQ travellers visiting countries where their sexual freedoms are not protected can now remain sexually anonymous, thanks to a new safety feature from Tinder.
The popular dating app, which has some 50 million users worldwide, is rolling out a traveller safety update for LGBTQ tourists that aims to protect them against being identified and discriminated overseas.
The update, which is being rolled out from the US on both iOS and Android, will provide LGBTQ travellers with a notification when they move into an area where their sexual freedoms are not protected.
“Starting today, we’re rolling out a traveller alert that will appear when Tinder is opened in one of these locations to ensure that our users are aware of the potential dangers the LGBTQ community faces — so that they can take extra caution and do not unknowingly place themselves in danger for simply being themselves,” Tinder said in an update on its website earlier this week.
Tinder’s LGBTQ community will no longer automatically appear on the app when they open it in areas where their freedoms are at risk in countries where identifying as LGBTQ is a criminal offence.
Once the alert is activated, users will have the choice to either remain hidden while in that location or opt into making their profile public so that they can connect with new people.
If a user chooses to be shown on Tinder, and has added sexual orientation or gender identity to their profile, it will not be displayed until they leave that area.
“The alert will appear when users are on the ground in these countries, as well as if they are using Tinder’s Passport feature to connect and match with people anywhere in the world,” Tinder said.
Tinder worked with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World) to help establish locations where the traveller alert will appear.
Together, the companies also added new information to its safety tips to include relevant information about this update.
