Tea, the women-focused dating app known for its anonymous reviews of men, has confirmed a major security breach that exposed 72,000 user images, including sensitive verification photos and private messages.
What Images Were Compromised in the Tea App Hack?
A spokesperson for Tea told Reuters that the breach involved “unauthorized access to our systems” and affected users who signed up before February 2024. The leaked material includes 13,000 selfies and ID photos submitted during account verification, as well as 59,000 images from posts, comments, and direct messages.
In an official statement, the company said, “We have engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and are working around the clock to secure our systems.” Tea emphasized that while images were leaked, no emails or phone numbers were exposed.
How Does the Tea App Work for Women?
Tea operates on a unique model aimed at empowering women in the dating space. The app lets verified users anonymously share Yelp-style reviews and experiences about the men they date. It promotes safety and accountability in dating with the core message: “Women should never have to compromise their safety while dating.”
To join Tea, users must complete a selfie-based verification process. The app claims that these verification selfies are deleted after use, although 13,000 such images were among those accessed in the breach.
How Has the Public Responded to the Breach?
Despite the hack, interest in Tea appears to be surging. The company noted on Instagram that more than two million users had requested to join the platform in recent days. This suggests the controversy has not slowed its growth, though it has certainly raised urgent concerns about user privacy and data protection.
Tea is now under pressure to not only secure its systems but to rebuild trust with its user base, many of whom joined the platform seeking a safer alternative in the online dating world.
By Risper Akinyi