- By Shubham Bajpai
- Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a surprising turn of events, the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) has sought a ban on the Grindr app, stating that the dating app is being used as a mode of communication for the peddling of methamphetamine, a synthetic addictive drug, The New Indian Express reported.
If banned, the development would mostly affect the LGBTQ+ community who use the app. The LGBTQ+ community feels that the development would make an impression among people that the community is abusing and peddling drugs, leading to further stigmatisation.
An activist working with the community said, "Just because there is an increase in scam calls, will the cops ban mobile phones? Chennai police need to work with the LGBTQ+ community to raise awareness about this issue rather than banning the app."
An official said that there is a possibility of the drug being peddled through other applications, too. However, there hasn't been any direct evidence of the same in the cases they have dealt with.
Talking about the case, a senior police official said that recently, a communication through the Tamil Nadu DGP’s office was routed to the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY). The communication seeks a ban on the Grindr App on the grounds of "affecting public order" and "causing nuisance."
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They pointed out that complaints have been raised with the cops regarding extortion and blackmail by people using the app and privacy concerns given that it also provides the location of the user. They also questioned whether the police have done any substantial analysis on how many people use Grindr and how many have misused it for peddling drugs. They also pointed out media reports of other dating apps used by heterosexual people being misused for illegal activities such as extortion.
Speaking about the number of cases traced to the app, a senior official said that the police have registered at least 21 cases of meth peddling through the Grindr since August. It was in August that the Chennai Police’s newly formed Anti Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) began a crackdown on synthetic drug sales.
"We have collected concrete evidence regarding the use of the app to sell meth," the official said.
Among those involved in peddling through the app included at least two police constables. Investigators say that those selling meth on the app identify themselves by adding a symbol on their profile, which acts as a secret code.
