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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil's Health Ministry is using fake Tinder profiles and massive condom giveaways to promote safe sex during the country's no-holds-barred Carnival celebrations.
In response to the growing popularity of hookup apps like Tinder and Hornet, the ministry has created fake profiles purporting to belong to revelers interested in unprotected sex. When users contact the fake profiles, they receive messages warning about the dangers.
The ministry's also running television commercials urging revelers to get HIV tests ahead of Carnival.
Officials said Monday that the ministry will distribute some 70 million condoms nationwide during the Feb. 13-17 celebrations.
Hookups among revelers are common at the popular street parties known as "blocos" during Carnival.
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