Data Breach Exposes IDs of Women on Dating Safety App 'Tea'
Hey, have you heard about what just happened with that popular new dating safety app called Tea ? It's been making headlines — and not for good reasons. This is one of those stories that starts off with good intentions but takes a really unsettling turn.
So, Tea is an app that’s supposed to help women navigate the often unpredictable world of online dating. Think of it like a digital whisper network. It lets women run background checks, reverse search men's photos, and even leave reviews — either praising or warning others about a guy they’ve dated or matched with. The app has been praised for giving women more control and safety, especially in a world where dating apps often leave them feeling vulnerable. Tea has grown fast, topping App Store charts and reportedly boasting over 1.6 million users.
Also Read:- Why Experts Urge the Bank of Canada to Hold Off on Rate Cuts
- US Troops’ New Role at Mexico Border Raises Eyebrows and Alarms
But then came the breach.
Earlier this week, users on the notorious forum 4chan claimed they found a wide-open database connected to Tea — no password, no security, just sitting there on Google’s Firebase platform. Inside? Face pics and driver’s licenses. Yes, real ID photos and selfies that women uploaded to verify their accounts. Screenshots and code reviewed by journalists at 404 Media confirmed that this wasn't just internet noise — it actually happened.
Before the thread got taken down, users were downloading and sharing this sensitive data, and it’s not just ID photos. Tea later confirmed that some direct messages were also exposed. And while the company said the data was from two years ago, that doesn’t exactly soften the blow for users who trusted Tea with some of their most personal information.
The worst part? The very thing Tea was built to protect — women’s safety — was compromised. Women who submitted private documents thinking they were being cautious now face the nightmare of being doxxed. The app’s data collection practices, like requiring a selfie and ID to prove you’re a woman, have now been thrown into serious question.
This whole thing raises big concerns about digital safety and the real risks that come with putting so much faith in tech solutions. It’s a stark reminder that even apps with the best intentions can create new vulnerabilities — especially when they don’t prioritize airtight security. For now, many are left wondering: was the risk ever really worth it?
It’s a cautionary tale for any of us using platforms that promise safety in exchange for our data.
Read More:
0 Comments