things that are not really subtle at all

Tinder Would Rather Not Be Mentioned Alongside Chlamydia, Thanks

An AIDS Healthcare Foundation billboard that went up in Los Angeles last week has drawn the ire of two dating-app makers for suggesting that their users should get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. The billboard, which depicts a Tinder user saying hello to chlamydia and a Grindr user making the acquaintance of gonorrhea, is on West Hollywood’s Beverly Boulevard, just down the street from Tinder’s headquarters.

Tinder was not interested in this kind of publicity and reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to the AHF saying: “These unprovoked and wholly unsubstantiated accusations are made to irreparably damage Tinder’s reputation in an attempt to encourage others to take an HIV test by your organization.” Meanwhile, Grindr pulled advertising from the foundation on its app. “We were surprised at the approach the AHF took, and paused the campaign in order to speak with them and assess our relationship. In the end, we’re all on the same page regarding this issue, as health and wellness concerns us all,” Grindr wrote in a statement. For its part, Tinder seems to have matured since its last negative portrayal (in Vanity Fair): The brand has posted nary a tweet about the dustup.

Tinder Objects to Mention Alongside Chlamydia