Daily TribuneSuspects aged 13 to 20 were accused of contacting victims on dating apps or social media, then assaulting, robbing and threatening them.
Grindr chief technology officer Scott Chen sought to distance the dating app’s public relations mishap from the Facebook scandal, calling the sharing no more than 'industry standard practice.'
AFP
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — More than 30 people — mostly male teenagers — have been arrested over a series of attacks on men in Australia who were lured over LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr, police said Friday.
Videos of some attacks were posted to social media accounts, Victoria state police said.
Several different groups of alleged offenders were involved.
The suspects, most aged from 13 to 20, were accused of contacting victims on dating apps or social media, then assaulting, robbing and threatening them, as well as making homophobic insults.
“It’s mainly occurring on Grindr but also Scruff and Snapchat,” a police spokesperson said.
Among the more than 30 arrests made since October last year, police detained three boys aged 13, 14, and 15 for alleged armed robbery, violent disorder and false imprisonment.
“There is absolutely no place for this type of concerning behavior in our society. It will not be tolerated,” Victoria police acting superintendent Carolyn Deer said in a statement.
Police said they were working with dating app providers as part of the investigation, seeking to provide users with safety messaging, reporting options and details of support services.
