The Tea app, a women-only platform designed for dating safety and information sharing, has rapidly ascended to over 4.6 million users, becoming the top free app on the Apple App Store in recent weeks. However, its viral success has been overshadowed by significant controversy and multiple data breaches, prompting concerns about user privacy and leading to class-action lawsuits. The app allows women to share reviews, conduct background checks, and access safety tools regarding men they are dating or considering.
Launched in 2023 by founder Sean Cook, Tea aims to provide a "virtual whisper network" for women, enabling them to upload photos of men, search for criminal histories, and perform reverse image searches. Users can rate men as "red flags" or "green flags" and share detailed experiences. The platform also claims to verify users as women through AI facial analysis, ensuring a women-only space for sharing sensitive dating advice and experiences.
Despite its stated mission of enhancing dating safety, the Tea app has faced considerable backlash, with critics labeling it "anti-men" and raising concerns about potential defamation and privacy invasions. Men online have expressed fears of being misrepresented or doxxed on the platform, which operates by allowing anonymous reviews. This has ignited a broader public debate regarding the balance between user safety and individual privacy in the digital dating landscape.
The app's controversies escalated dramatically following two major data breaches in late July 2025. The initial breach exposed approximately 72,000 images, including selfies and photo identifications submitted during user verification, with some appearing on platforms like 4chan. A subsequent security issue revealed over 1.1 million user direct messages, spanning from early 2023, containing sensitive personal conversations, real names, and social media handles.
These security lapses have resulted in at least ten potential class-action lawsuits filed against the Tea app, with plaintiffs alleging negligence in protecting user data. In response, Tea confirmed the breaches, stating they have engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and implemented additional security measures. The company emphasized its commitment to "ensure the security of our platform and prevent further exposure," and has taken its messaging system offline temporarily.
Amidst these developments, conservative commentator Richard Hanania remarked on social media, >"Prominent MAGAs show why the Tea app is necessary." This statement, posted on August 10, 2025, suggests that the perceived behaviors or societal issues highlighted by certain public figures or political movements underscore the need for platforms like Tea. The app's emergence and the debates surrounding it reflect ongoing societal discussions about accountability, privacy, and safety in modern dating, resonating with varied political and social viewpoints.