General News

Image: Grindr

Grindr has launched its new cross-country bus tour “Grindr Rides America” in celebration of Pride month.

“From the Castro to Stonewall, we’ll be getting around—hop on, get off, and get your dicks on Route 66,” Grindr’s cheeky press release reads. “This is all in celebration of YOU as we toast to 15 years and counting.”

Grindr’s bus tour is also in celebration of its fifteenth anniversary, and the company will offer free HIV testing, PrEP resources, and a full-service photography studio to LGBTQ neighborhoods on its route. According to Mashable, a team from medical service Q Care Plus will be along for the ride to discuss HIV and STI prevention with attendees, as well as screening, treatment options, and how to access prep and doxy-PEP to encourage discussion and support without judgment.

Tinder is launching a new in-app tool to encourage UK voters to access information about the upcoming election.

According to Mobile Marketing Magazine, the initiative called “Give an X” offers an in-app “Swipe Card” that provides unbiased information about the election and candidates so that users can make informed decisions for the General Election taking place this summer.

When a user swipes right on the card, Tinder redirects them to a Voting 101 FAQ page in partnership with youth-led, non-partisan charity My Life My Say. The FAQ page offers information on where to vote, what to bring, and steps for those who have recently moved as well as information about the election.

A new study from Eventbrite says that young people are turning away from dating apps to meet at in-person gatherings.

According to Axios, the study showed a 42 percent increase in people signing up for in-person dating events, like speed dating, between 2022 and 2023. From May 2023 to April 2024, Eventbrite also saw more than 1.5 million searches for dating and singles events on its platform.

"This ongoing trend speaks to a broader societal shift where people are craving genuine connections and meaningful experiences tailored to their interests," Eventbrite said in the report, which was released in early June. 

Dating app Tinder has partnered with running coach app Runna to launch a special summer run club for singles.

According to Runner’s World magazine, the “Solemates” club was created in response to a growing need from Tinder app users for activity-based dating events. There is also a significant number of runners joining Tinder, and the term “running” is one of the top trending profile-tagged “interests” that people can choose from on the platform.

SoleMates events are taking place in June and July in London, and will be held on Wednesday nights for three consecutive weeks at different areas, including Clapham and Central London. The third location is to be determined.

Online scams are on the rise across New York state, according to its Attorney General Leticia James.

Local news WGRZ reported that scammers are using dating apps, social media, and unsolicited text messages to lure victims into making fraudulent purchases or investments. Referred to as “pig butchering” – the idea is for the scammer to befriend and form trust with the victim before taking their money.

"New Yorkers hoping to find romance and personal connections online are instead being taken advantage of and victimized by heartless scammers,” said Attorney General James in a release. “Sophisticated fraudsters are increasingly using dating apps and social media to trick users into bogus investment schemes.”

Young singles in China are taking to social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (also known as RED) to participate in livestreamed blind dates.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Network (ABC), livestream dating is “romantically themed video conference calls” where up to nine people can join a so-called “dating room” and talk with each other. But instead of a closed and private Zoom call, it is open to the public for any number of people to watch.

The concept is similar to a game show, where the participants give a little background on themselves and are often asked to “demonstrate a talent,” according to ABC. The participants have to be willing to make an effort to represent and “market” themselves, whether it’s through a talent or charm or other ability.