Los Angeles, CA – A former high-ranking U.S. Catholic official has launched a lawsuit against the popular dating app Grindr, following allegations that his privacy was breached, leading to the loss of his job and damaged reputation. Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill claims that the app did not sufficiently protect his user data nor did it disclose the extent to which third parties could access his information.
In California Superior Court last week, Burrill asserted that if he had known the app’s data-sharing practices, he would have refrained from using it. The case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding digital privacy and security mishandlings by social platforms.
Burrill’s resignation from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in July 2021 was prompted by a Catholic news outlet reporting his use of the app, citing data obtained showing Burrill frequented gay bars and private residences while using Grindr. The incident set off a storm within religious and privacy advocacy communities, stirring debates over ethical responsibilities of tech companies in user data management.
The exposure of Burrill’s activities, which contradicted the Church’s teachings on celibacy and sexual morality, was reportedly based on data bought from a vendor who legally acquired the anonymized data from Grindr. Burrill’s lawyers argue that this data should not have been so readily accessible and that Grindr failed in its duty to protect personal data.
Grindr, in response, has vehemently denied accusations of mishandling user data, promising a robust challenge to Burrill’s allegations in court. The company contends that it adheres to lawful standards concerning user data privacy and that any allegations otherwise are grounded in misunderstandings of data usage policies.
Further complicating Burrill’s case is the involvement of the Catholic Laity and Clergy for Renewal (CLCR), a nonprofit whose declared mission is to support the Church’s work and its clergy. The CLCR has been accused of buying and using Grindr data to internally influence Church decisions, a claim it has denied.
Privacy experts weigh in on the implications of the case, noting that the digital privacy landscape in America often lacks sufficient regulatory oversight, which could allow for personal data to be misused. The Burrill case may bring further attention to the need for protective regulations explicitly clarifying the privacy rights of digital app users.
In the broader context, this lawsuit is part of an ongoing series of controversies tied to Grindr’s privacy practices. Past allegations have ranged from inadequate protections to outright privacy violations involving sensitive health data such as HIV status, raising profound concerns over user trust and security.
Since his resignation, Burrill has served as a parochial administrator in La Crosse, Wisconsin, indicating his ongoing engagement with religious duties despite the fallout from the 2021 scandal.
The outcome of Jeffery Burrill’s lawsuit may set a precedent for how user data is treated by private companies in the digital age, particularly for applications handling sensitive personal information. Legal experts and privacy advocates alike are observing closely, recognizing that the ripple effects of this case could influence privacy policies far beyond the confines of Grindr or the religious community.