This is a very good point, and it might be worth noting that apps like Grindr and Scruff can be risky for a different reason. Reports have emerged from some places, Eastern Europe and Russia included, of vigilantes using gay-dating apps to locate and do violence against the people using the apps. I understand they often do this by pretending to be gay and arranging a liaison.

These efforts are typically targeted against locals not tourists, but it would be easy for a tourist to get caught up in something like that. It's definitely worth thinking about!

Thanks for this sobering but necessary article. That map is particularly sobering. Thanks for including it.