Dating app to offer users free and discreet STI kits at home

Dating app Grindr has launched a new service for UK users to help tackle rising rates of sexually transmitted infections. The new ‘ground-breaking initiative’ comes as a result of the app's partnership with Prepster at The Love Tank.

The app is providing London-based users with the easy access to at-home STI testing kits, but the scheme is likely to be rolled out across other parts of the country. Its service is free and confidential to use.

Outside of London, people can get their hands on a STI kit by SH:24. It is a free online sexual health service, delivered in partnership with the NHS.

Grindr announced last week that it “recognizes our responsibility to address the pressing issues facing our users”. The initiative has been launched to tackle the increasing STI rates in the city, particularly amongst gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

Grindr wrote: “GBMSM in London face significant barriers to accessing in-person STI testing, including limited clinic hours, transportation difficulties, and fear of judgement. These obstacles contribute to the health inequalities experienced by this community, with GBMSM in London having a 15 times higher STI diagnosis rate compared to the general population.

“By offering at-home testing kits, we aim to break down these barriers and ensure all our users can access convenient, confidential STI screening.”

Grindr aims to normalise the need for regular sexual health screening, calling it a “crucial part” of sexual health maintenance. It also hopes that the scheme will “serve as a model” for other dating apps to make sexual health a priority.

The app has already seen success with similar schemes, expanding access to testing, information and care, in countries such as Ireland, Georgia, New Zealand, and the USA.

Grindr’s free-at-home STI kits

To give users a rundown of how the initiative will work, the app has detailed the six simple steps people will need to take to get their kits and results. Ordering a self-sampling kit through the Grindr app is a simple and discreet process:

1. Access - Grindr users can access the service directly from their profile by clicking on the "Free STI Kit" button.

2. Eligibility - After clicking the button, users will be guided through a few basic steps to confirm their eligibility for the free testing kit.

3. Privacy - Once confirmed, the kit will be discreetly delivered to the user's address. Users can then collect their samples in the privacy of their own homes.

4. Return -After collecting the samples, users can return the kit using the provided free postage.

5. Results - Within a few days of returning the kit, users will receive their results via notifications through SHL's secure platform.

6. Confidentiality - Throughout the entire process, from ordering to receiving results, users' information remains strictly confidential and is never shared with Grindr.