Apple Pulls Viral ‘Tea’ Dating Apps Over Privacy and Safety Concerns
So, one of the most talked-about dating apps of 2025 — the “Tea” app — has officially been removed from Apple’s App Store, along with its male-focused counterpart “TeaOnHer.” Apple confirmed this decision after both apps were found violating major content moderation and privacy rules, despite repeated warnings and attempts at fixing the issues.
Now, if you haven’t heard of it — Tea started as a women’s “dating safety” app where users could post anonymous reviews about men they’d met online or dated. Think of it like a crowdsourced review system for relationships — women would rate men as “green flags” or “red flags,” sharing personal experiences, and sometimes even private details. While it was intended as a way to help women date safely, the app quickly spiraled into controversy over privacy concerns and accusations of defamation.
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Apple said the apps were pulled because they failed to meet the platform’s standards for user safety, moderation, and privacy. According to the company, both Tea and TeaOnHer had an “excessive number” of user complaints, including reports that minors’ personal information had been shared. Apple pointed to violations of its App Review Guidelines — specifically the rules requiring strong moderation tools, user consent before sharing personal data, and responsible developer conduct. Despite Apple reportedly communicating these issues multiple times, the problems continued to persist.
Things really began to unravel for Tea after a massive data breach earlier this year. Hackers reportedly gained access to over 72,000 images — including users’ selfies and photo IDs that were used for verification — along with thousands of private messages. The rival app, TeaOnHer, which allowed men to rate women in a similar way, also faced its own security issues. Its developer admitted that an exposed API temporarily made user data accessible, though it was supposedly fixed within an hour.
Interestingly, both apps still remain available on Google Play for now, though that could change soon. According to analytics firm Appfigures, Tea had racked up more than 6 million downloads and around $5 million in gross revenue before being removed, while TeaOnHer had about 2.2 million downloads.
And of course, with both original apps gone, new copycats have started to appear. One of them, “Tea On Her & Him – Overheard,” has already surged to the top of Apple’s lifestyle app charts.
It’s a fascinating moment in the ongoing tug-of-war between digital transparency and online privacy. While Tea began as a safety tool, it quickly showed how easily that line can blur when personal information and emotions collide in the world of dating apps.
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