Tinder App Adds STD Testing Locator in Health Safety Section

Dating app Tinder settles the dispute with non-profit organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) as it agreed to include Healthy Safety section on its website and app. The Healthy Safety section will also direct you to Healthvana's free sexually transmitted disease testing locators.

In a bold move to promote sexual health, Tinder has followed recommendations made by AHF to raise awareness about STD, International Business Time reported. In 236 words, Tinder has renewed its commitment to its users.

The dating app outlines "proper protection" including condom use and vaccinations in its new Healthy Safety section. At the last part, you may find a link which directs you to Healthvana for free HIV and STD testing.

"Tinder is proud to empower millions of users to create relationships, and we believe that doing so is great for the world," Tinder's VP of communications and branding Rosette Pambakian said in an email statement sent to IBT. "An important aspect of any healthy relationship - whether formed on Tinder or otherwise - is ensuring sexual health and safety."

Reuters stated the feud between the two parties started when Los Angeles-based AHF put up billboards and advertisements across the city, hinting that Tinder may have something to do with the increased cases of STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

This came after reports on STD increase came out. Rhode Island Department of Health stated that a significant increase in HIV cases, syphilis and gonorrhoea were linked to social networks. However, Tinder has emphasized that U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention has never established a link between the increase of cases and its app.

In response, the dating app company owned by IAC/InterActiveCorp sent a "cease and desist" letter to the non-profit group. Four months later, the feud led to a collaboration of resources to improve sexual health awareness.

Additionally, AHF asked Healthvana to join the alliance. Healthvana was impressed by the commitment and efforts of Tinder when the new feature went live on Thursday.

"They should be commended. To take a leadership position on educating their users on health and safety as one of the largest dating sites is huge," said Ramin Bastani, CEO of Healthvana, as reported in IBT.

"We're empowering people to get access to health results at their fingertips and Tinder is inspiring connections ... What they did is all about empowering people to make better decisions for their health. This is what healthcare should look like in the 21st century," Bastani added.

In the end, AHF agreed to take down the billboards and advertisements linking Tinder to STDs. Given the advocacy that Tinder started, it is highly expected that many dating apps will follow suit.

Here's another way of using Tinder to promote sexual health. Check out the video below: