Safe Spaces and Unsafe Designs: A Mixed-Methods Study of Queer User Experiences on Grindr in India

This study examines how queer users in India experience the dating app Grindr and how these experiences are shaped by the platform’s design. Using a mixed-methods approach on anonymized Reddit narratives, the work combines transformer-based emotion classification with qualitative analysis to identify recurring themes such as body insecurity, toxic masculinity, and challenges in forming meaningful connections. It further links these experiences to specific interface features, arguing that design choices like the grid-based layout can amplify these vulnerabilities in culturally specific contexts.