What might be a temporary limitation on meeting potential matches is grounded in a very real threat of persecution from law enforcement agency workers going undercover on the app, laws criminalising same-sex sexual activity, and other Tinder users hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals, as ILGA, who provided Tinder with data to create the new feature, highlighted in a statement.

“We work hard to change practices, laws and attitudes that put LGBTQ people at risk - including the use of dating apps to target our community - but in the meantime, the safety of our communities also depends on supporting their digital safety,” explained André du Plessis, executive director of ILGA World.

Tinder’s new feature calls attention to the pressing need for other digital platforms to prioritise the safety of LGBTQ+ users. Homophobia might be a longstanding social issue, but even as society slowly becomes more progressive with equal marriage and positive representation, it doesn’t mean we can’t step up and put measures in place to protect the LGBTQ+ community from harm. Hopefully others will quickly follow suit and show their commitment to user safety.

Image: Getty

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