News

Tinder Adds Sexual Health Info & STD Test Locator To Site

tinder

Tinder adds sexual health info and has taken the big step of implementing an STD locator on its website.

It’s a move that has been applauded by STD health organisations that Tinder has previously clashed with.

On Tinder’s desktop site, you can access the (slightly hard to locate) Health Safety section by going to FAQs, and scrolling to the bottom of the site.

The section is also viewable on mobile, by visiting the “Help & Support” area on the app, which opens a mobile web page.

On it, the Hollywood-based dating app gives some tips for people “forming a new relationship” on how to “protect their well-being”.

Sexual Health Info

The text reads: “Individuals should use proper protection.  Condom mechanisms can significantly reduce the risk of contracting or passing on an STD, such as HIV. To be effective, however, any protective measure must be used consistently.

“It is completely reasonable to have a conversation with your partner regarding sex before actually having it. All issues ranging from the number of partners each of you has had, to the last time each of you was tested for STDs are fair game. It is important to be completely honest in these conversations.

“The risk of contracting some STDs can be reduced through vaccination. Talk to your doctor or a professional at a sexual health clinic to learn more.”

In addition to this, Tinder also provides some information on getting tested, saying there are many “free, quick and confidential testing options” available, while also providing a link to a testing locator, so users can find the best nearest location to get tested.

This locator is powered by Healthvana, who Tinder has partnered up with, after the service was recommended by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).

The AHF was the organisation that Tinder clashed with last year, after they erected some billboards equating the use of Tinder and Grindr to contracting STDs.

The billboard showed two figures, one printed with a Tinder logo, the other with a Grindr logo, kissing two silhouettes branded with the words chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

hawks5

After the adverts were put up, Tinder issued the nonprofit with a “cease and desist” letter, saying they must remove all mentions of Tinder from the billboards.

The AHF refused, but following this latest move by Tinder, the organisation has announced it will be removing the billboards and any ads that mention Tinder.

Whitney Engeran Cordova, Senior Director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Public Health Division said it was “such welcome news that Tinder will add a Health Safety section with a link to Healthvana, making it easier for people to find testing locations through an easily accessible, modern platform. And we hope to see other dating sites do the same.”

Speaking about the decision to create the section, Dr. Jessica Carbino, Lead Sociologist at Tinder said:

“Tinder is proud to empower millions of users to create relationships. An important aspect of any healthy relationship — whether formed on Tinder or otherwise — is ensuring sexual health and safety. We’d be delighted to see other major social networks follow in our footsteps in educating the public.”

Check out the section here.

Simon Edmunds

Simon is the former editor of Global Dating Insights. Born in Newcastle, he has an English degree from Queen Mary, London and after working for the NHS, trained as a journalist with the Press Association. Passionate about music, journalism and Newcastle United.

Global Dating Insights is part of the Industry Insights Group. Registered in the UK. Company No: 14395769