With latest update, Grindr now not only collects data from your device but now also records your devices ID which is a random number created when you setup your device. Which means if you get banned for spoofing your GPS there is no way to create a new account, even if you delete the app and reinstall it, trying to create a new account, you will still get the banned message, showing that randomised number under the banned message.

The only way to recover from a ban is to factory reset your device and a new number will be created, thus allowing you to create a new account. It's drastic, but if your device is backed up you shouldn't lose any data. Just make sure you delete the app first.

Spoofing your GPS is easy enough, and it is possible to hide spoofing apps from Grindr. I do it for safety. Even if you turn your distance off, people can still work out where you are. After being stalked and attacked once before, I feel safer setting my location some 5 or 10 km from my home.

Grindr needs to adopt a more intelligent way of dealing with scamers and catfish. Some way of proving your identity, many other sites do it and they don't have all the drug dealers, prostitutes and scammers which Grindr is full of.

I use Grindr on a spare device to experiment and work out these workarounds of using fake GPS and getting around bans.

I'm all for GPS spoofing, but until Grindr addresses it's user's legitimacy with some form ID validation to keep out minors and other unwanted users off the site, people will use GPS spoofing for devious reasons.

I mean, anyone can join using a fake email address and use a new SIM card for the phone number confirmation. So until they sort this out we will keep getting bombarded with scammers, kids, sex workers and the rest of the crap we see on Grindr.

There are better apps wnich are better secured and safer to use. Even if it means sending photo proof of your identity, as well as a pic of yourself showing you holding your ID.

Best of luck!!

Great idea. I hate empty profiles!

this would never exist, you just come up with stuff that you don't bother thinking about their consequences.

that is just bots encourangment. and stalking by false location.
you got the explore function it's just not entirely free they want you to fully pay in order to actually speak to people. should you pay? No chance in my opinon

Itd be great if on your profile there was a non profile listed way to say if you are or aren't okay with people who have hiv. Like... status preference. Positive only, negative only, or I don't mind. That way all of those who specifically are not okay with hiv can be filtered out and those with hiv don't message them and receive horrible comments. This wouldn't reveal a person's status because the yes or I don't care options don't mean that person has hiv, it just means they don't mind chatting with someone who does. Also where this isn't a listed preference no one would be subjected to comments like why aren't you okay with this or you're ignorant or any other hate comments it could just be blamed on an internet glitch or any other number of things. But as someone with hiv I get a lot of hate messages just because I have my status posted and I feel like that deters many from posting thier status. But if people who would be mean to people like me could filter out from that situation to begin with it could all be avoided. Just a thought, I'm sure it could be worded better or tweaked in the actual implementation but there's the foundation. Thanks!

All that would do is gives Bots and the like to exploit Grindr more then they do now!

I would appreciate an HIV filter. I'm more interested in meeting on prep guys than the negatives. Once the other filters are available, why we can't use and HIV filter too?

I am HIV+, while I don’t have it listed on my profile I do tell anyone I meet up with. I would like it if there was some sort of hidden filter that would just filter everyone who isn’t okay with HIV+ people out and vice versa. Not looking for any fuss because that is there prerogative if they don’t want it or not. That way anyone I do talk to is either positive or okay with me telling them I am.

The amount of guys on Grindr who use this app to harass people for various reasons, only to make dozens upon dozens of new profiles within minutes to continue the harassment. Stop allowing people like this to utilizing Grindr as a tool to harm others or make others scared or uncomfortable. We are supposed to be a community and Grindr is about finding and having fun. I’ve heard and experienced way too many horror stories with self proclaimed “discreet” guys deleting and remaking profiles to avoid the fact that they’ve been blocked by people THEY are harassing or being creepy/predatory to.

Don't send ur location if ur worried about your safety

My idea is one of two ideas either have a verification badge that users can get by submitting a selfie of themselves holding up a bit of paper with a unique code. Or a series of 3-5 selfies with specific gestures or expressions.

Or straight up all profiles need to do a verification process before they can be seen in search and before they can message people or read messages.

Reason for this in the last week alone I have reported 40+ accounts around 8-10 each time I'm on. That are clearly scammers trying to get credit card information.

Worst idea I’ve seen. Everyone already has the ability to turn their location off. Faking it doesn’t make anyone more safe. It ONLY creates more problems, more fake profiles and more scams.

Also, if you (Grindr) want real input.... DOWN VOTE BUTTON.

For those that don’t mind it. Could we have a verification process in place. Using something like Yoti that will verify your identity. Then this can be displayed as a badge on your profile proving that you’re a real person with a real profile.
I’m tired of seeing my pictures appear on fake profiles.

Some users can use FAKE GPS,

I support this, even an optional verification system should be in place like on tinder or Twitter for more authentic connections. I'm tired of blocking ghost profiles who stalk on me but don't show any pictures or information.

I am sure that I am not alone in saying that I am uncomfortable publicly advertising my sexual preferences in addition to other sensitive information (though I am happy to disclose this on a case-by-case basis). I think this is a terrible idea and users should always have the *freedom* to choose what personal information to share publicly without fear or favour.

To cut down on crime; fake profiles and stolen pictures. Members should be verified it can be done securely online and still permit anonymity. There have been several reports of individuals using pictures as a way to lure unexacting victims to crimes such as robbery; burglary. It has happened to me and others I’ve connect with on this app. Giving members the option and opportunity to be verified and to meet other verified individuals will cut down on the usage of stolen profile pictures; fake pictures and crime. No one wants to talk about gay on gay crime. And the amount of crime affiliated with the Grindr app. Identification Verification could potentially save a life!

Add a verification badge that verifies the users face like bumble & tinder have. It will get rid of bots & the fake people using others profile pictures.

Terrible idea..

Doesn't that already work? I do it all the time I always leave my location at home For security reasons I don't want people knowing that I am not home

Could be misused to manipulate police. Does not contribute to safety but hurts it. Instead allow for automatic random offset of location by undisclosed distance. User MUST not be allowed to set fake location