Wisconsin Priest Sues Grindr Over Alleged Data Sale
Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, the former top administrator of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has filed a lawsuit against the popular queer dating app Grindr. Burrill claims that Grindr failed to disclose that his data was being sold to vendors, leading to his outing and subsequent resignation in 2021. The lawsuit, obtained by the Washington Post, states that the release of his data had a detrimental impact on his reputation, particularly due to his vow of celibacy as a priest and the Catholic Church’s historical opposition to homosexual sex.
The controversy surrounding Burrill began when the Christian news website “The Pillar” exposed his use of Grindr and visits to gay bars. The website claimed to have verified his behavior using online data. In his lawsuit, Burrill alleges that The Pillar obtained his data from Catholic Laity and Clergy for Renewal (CLCR), a Christian non-profit organization that purchased data from queer dating apps to identify Church leaders who were using them in violation of their vows. This implies that Grindr may have sold the data to CLCR.
Burrill’s attorneys are seeking answers and warning other Grindr users about the potential risks. They argue that if he had known his data would become public, he would have never joined the app. The violation of his privacy is described as “reprehensible” by James Carr, one of Burrill’s attorneys.
Grindr, on the other hand, denies ever making user data publicly available and plans to vigorously defend against the lawsuit. The company previously stated that the allegations are based on mischaracterizations of its user data practices. Despite Burrill’s request for $5 million in damages, Grindr declined and he subsequently filed the lawsuit on July 18. In addition to seeking compensation, Burrill is also pushing for the implementation of policies that prevent user data from being made public without their knowledge.
While CLCR admitted to obtaining data from Grindr in the past, they deny sharing any data with The Pillar. Burrill’s outing faced significant backlash at the time, with many criticizing The Pillar’s use of data as homophobic and dangerous.
This case raises important questions about privacy and data security in the digital age. The lawsuit serves as a reminder that individuals must be aware of how their personal information is being used and shared by the apps they use. Grindr’s response to these allegations will be closely watched, as it could have broader implications for the privacy practices of dating apps and other similar platforms.
