Grindr Is Sending A Warning To All Users In Egypt That The Police Are Tricking And Arresting Queer Men
LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr has urged all users in Egypt to be vigilant after reports of police using the app to conduct undercover operations and arrest queer men.
More and more LGBTQ+ people are arrested, beaten and abused by police officers using dating apps and digital platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram.
In response, Grindr released a nationwide announcement condemning the police action and warning LGBTQ+ users to exercise caution when using the app to meet others, according to ‘UK Daily News’.
Police are also reportedly hacking into legitimate app user profiles to make arrests.
It is believed that more than 150 people have been arrested by Egyptian police using detention systems.
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“Grindr works with local groups to ensure our users have up-to-date information on safety, and we urge international organizations and governments to demand justice and safety for Egypt’s LGBTQ community.”
Reports from LGBTQ+ people in the country suggest police are hiring whistleblowers to infiltrate other dating apps, including Tinder and Bumble, in order to “seduce” members of the community before arresting them.
Darius (not his real name), an LGBTQ+ person from Port Said, told PinkNews that they have stopped walking the streets out of fear and are desperately looking for a way to escape the country.
“My friends and I received a voice memo saying 28 gay men were arrested by the police and then forced to call their friends so they can be arrested too,” they said.
“A few months ago, one of our friends was found dead. I’m not sure at all.”
According to Darius, police take people’s phones as “evidence” and then call the names on their contact lists to see if they’re LGBTQ+.
They were also informed that their name was on a long list of people being pursued by the police.
“I don’t leave my house unless someone picks me up in a car,” adds Darius.
“I’m really worried that if I leave the house I’ll be slaughtered like a chicken.”
Human Rights Watch said digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Grindr are not doing enough to protect LGBTQ+ people.
It also urged the authorities in Egypt to uphold international and regional obligations to protect the human rights of LGBTQ+ people.
“Online abuse against LGBT people has offline repercussions that linger throughout life and can adversely affect their livelihoods, mental health and safety,” said Rasha Younes, senior LGBTQ+ rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Younes added that while digital platforms have enabled LGBTQ+ people to express themselves and speak out, they have also become tools for state-sponsored oppression.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Police Are Using Grindr & Other Apps To Entrap & Torture LGBTQ+ People
South African Authorities Arrest Four Men Linked To Targeting Grindr Users
Grindr Adjusts Privacy Settings For LGBTQ+ Athletes At The Beijing Winter Olympics
Two gay men arrested in Egypt for “spreading debauchery”
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