Security Breach Exposes Personal Data on Women's Dating Safety App

A recent security breach in the women-only dating safety app Tea Dating Advice has led to unauthorized access to the images and personal data of over 72,000 members. The company, which focuses on background checks and user anonymity, is now working with cybersecurity experts to manage the fallout from this incident.

In a troubling turn of events, Tea Dating Advice, a popular women-only dating safety app boasting 1.6 million users, has reported that it has been hacked. The breach involved unauthorized access to the sensitive information of around 72,000 members, including images, posts, and comments that may have been intended to enhance user security. Some of the leaked images even included women holding photo identification for verification, which contradicts the app’s privacy promises of immediate deletion after authentication.

The breach is reported to have affected users who registered on the platform prior to February 2024, leading the company to assure the community that they are collaborating with trusted cyber security professionals to address the situation swiftly.

Tea Dating Advice has gained traction for its unique features that aid women in vetting potential partners by identifying marital statuses or criminal backgrounds, and supporting reverse image searches to prevent "catfishing." However, the app has recently attracted backlash for its controversial policy that allows women to share both "red flag" and "green flag" reviews of men they have dated, raising concerns about privacy and potential defamation.

In a statement regarding the attack, Tea clarified that the leaked images cannot be tied to any posts within the app due to their preventive security measures, such as blocking screenshots. Nonetheless, it was later revealed that an additional 59,000 images, containing posts, comments, and direct messages from over two years ago, were also compromised.

Founded in November 2022 by Sean Cook—who was motivated by his mother's unsettling online dating experiences—Tea aims to protect female users from the threats posed by catfish, scammers, and other malicious actors prevalent on traditional dating platforms. Despite its protective intentions, some users have expressed concerns regarding the potential harm these apps can inflict on men’s privacy and reputations.

Notably, legal actions have been filed against similar platforms, highlighting the contentious and complex landscape of online dating security. As the digital age advances and societal expectations shift, the future of privacy and safety within dating apps remains uncertain, placing further emphasis on the need for robust security measures.