# Grindr rolls out new sensitive-data controls for its gAI features > By Hayley Birkin | Edited by Bill Alena | Published: 2026-10-28T01:11:30.410605+00:00 | Section: Regulation | Source: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/news/grindr-rolls-out-sensitive-data-controls-gai-features | Publisher: Dating Industry Insights (High Intent Media Inc) Grindr is rolling out simplified sensitive-data controls for gAI features and gAI development from the week of 27 October, with certain health data excluded. ## Key points - Grindr said on 27 October 2026 it is rolling out simplified sensitive-data controls covering gAI features and gAI development, starting the week of 27 October. - Grindr's controls sit under Privacy Settings > Sensitive Data and let members choose whether sensitive data powers gAI features or improves and develops gAI over time. - Grindr says HIV status, last tested date, testing reminders, the Poz tribe and tag, and vaccination status will not be used in gAI whatever members choose. - Grindr's Help Center says limited data such as age, taps, display name and profile photos may train its AI by default unless members opt out. ## Article - Grindr said on 27 October 2026 that simplified sensitive-data controls for gAI features and gAI development roll out from the week of 27 October. - Two choices sit under Privacy Settings > Sensitive Data: feature use and personalisation, and improving and developing gAI. - HIV status, last tested date, testing reminders, the "Poz" tribe and tag, and vaccination status are excluded from gAI whatever members choose. - Grindr reports third-quarter results on 5 November 2026. [Grindr](https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/companies/grindr) (GRND) said on 27 October that it is rolling out "simplified controls" for sensitive data that govern use of that data in its gAI features and in gAI development, starting the week of 27 October. A blog post by Chief Product Officer AJ Balance says members will see them when they return to the app or create a new account. There are two choices, available at any time under Privacy Settings > Sensitive Data. One covers whether Grindr may use sensitive data to provide and personalise gAI features for the member and other members. The other covers whether it may use that data to improve and develop gAI over time. ### The DII Take Separating feature use from model training is the right design, and a plain two-switch layout beats a buried setting. But the post does not say whether the default that lets limited data train Grindr's AI has changed. Until it does, this is a better interface, not yet a better privacy position. ### What the controls cover, and what they leave open Grindr says it will not use certain health data in gAI whatever choices members make. In the post's words: "We won’t use certain health data in gAI, regardless of the choices you make". The post also says the Terms of Service have been updated, partly to make them easier to understand. Grindr's Help Center says special-category data, including gender, position, chat content and precise location, is used for AI training only if the member opts in. Limited data (age, taps, display name, profile photos) may be used by default, with an opt-out under "Enable gAI Features". The help page may not yet reflect the new layout, and the blog post does not mention the EFF's June criticism of those defaults or Metro Weekly's October report on Ronan Farrow's video investigation. Metro Weekly said opting out applies only to future use of data. > Grindr says it will not use certain health data in gAI whatever choices members make. ### What to watch Grindr reports third-quarter results after market close on 5 November. In Q2 it posted revenue of $138M, up 33%, and CEO George Arison said Grindr is "terraforming" into an AI-native organisation. Analysts should listen for whether opt-out rates are disclosed. Compliance teams should note the context: Grindr agreed to a [£26M UK settlement](https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/news/grindr-settlement-user-data-sharing) over alleged pre-2020 data sharing, with no admission of liability. - Grindr has split gAI consent into feature use and model development, a structure other dating operators adding AI may be asked to match. - Grindr's post does not say whether the default for limited data in AI training changes, so the opt-out debate continues. - Grindr's 5 November earnings call is the first chance to hear management discuss AI data controls alongside its AI-native strategy. **Sources:** [You're in Control of Your gAI Experience (Grindr)](https://www.grindr.com/blog/youre-in-control-of-your-gai-experience); [Your Privacy & Artificial Intelligence at Grindr (Grindr Help Center)](https://help.grindr.com/hc/en-us/articles/7169085929491-Your-Privacy-Artificial-Intelligence-at-Grindr); [EFF to Grindr: This Pride Month, Put Safety and Privacy Over Profits (Electronic Frontier Foundation)](https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/06/grindr-put-queer-safety-and-privacy-over-profits); [Grindr Inc. Form 8-K on UK settlement (SEC / Grindr Inc.)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001820144/000182014426000027/grnd-20260902.htm); [Grindr second quarter 2026 results press release (SEC / Grindr Inc.)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001820144/000182014426000023/exhibit991-q22026pressrele.htm); [Grindr Announces Date of Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results Earnings Call (Business Wire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/grindr-announces-date-third-quarter-200500518.html); [Grindr Uses Your Profile to Train AI Unless You Opt Out (Metro Weekly)](https://www.metroweekly.com/2026/10/grindr-profile-data-ai-training/); [Grindr Can Use Your Photos and Taps to Train AI. Here's How to Opt Out. (Gayety)](https://gayety.com/grindr-ai-training-opt-out) ## Key takeaways - Grindr has split gAI consent into feature use and model development, a structure other dating operators adding AI features may be pressed to match. - Grindr's blog post does not say whether its default allowing limited data to train AI has changed, so the opt-out criticism from the EFF and Metro Weekly is not clearly answered. - Grindr's 5 November 2026 third-quarter earnings call is the first chance to hear management discuss AI data controls alongside its AI-native strategy. ## FAQ ### What are Grindr's new gAI sensitive data controls? Grindr is rolling out two choices under Privacy Settings > Sensitive Data from the week of 27 October 2026. One covers using sensitive data to provide and personalise gAI features, the other covers using it to improve and develop gAI. ### Which Grindr health data is excluded from gAI? Grindr says it will not use HIV status, last tested date, testing reminders, the Poz tribe and tag, or vaccination status in gAI, whatever members choose. ### Does Grindr use profile photos to train AI by default? Grindr's Help Center says limited data, including age, taps, display name and profile photos, may be used for AI training by default unless members opt out. Grindr's 27 October post does not say whether that default has changed. --- Canonical: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/news/grindr-rolls-out-sensitive-data-controls-gai-features Citation: "Dating Industry Insights" (https://www.datingindustryinsights.com)