Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jul 26: Popular American dating feedback app Tea, which allows women to share warnings and experiences about men they've dated, has confirmed a massive data breach affecting over 72,000 images, including 13,000 selfies and ID verification photos.

A company spokesperson said the hack occurred early Friday, targeting a "legacy" storage system containing images uploaded by users who joined the app before February 2024. While the hackers did not access sensitive data such as email addresses or phone numbers, the leaked content includes photos used for ID verification, raising alarm among users and cybersecurity experts.

The remaining stolen images were from public posts, comments, and messages. Screenshots circulating online indicate that some of the hacked ID photos were posted on 4Chan, an internet forum notorious for "incel" culture and harassment, amplifying fears of stalking and identity theft.

Cybersecurity expert Trey Ford of Bugcrowd warned, “Connecting usernames to legal names and addresses exposes these women to a variety of concerns. Identity theft is only the tip of this iceberg.”

Tea, which promotes a “sisterhood” of 1.6 million women, became the top-ranked Lifestyle app on Apple’s App Store this week after going viral on social media. The platform’s core idea—allowing women to anonymously flag red flags in potential dating partners—has gained praise but also sparked debate over privacy risks.

While the app’s fans see it as a protective tool for women, critics argue that sharing names and images of men, even when anonymized, carries risks for all users involved—especially in light of the recent breach.

The company has launched a detailed probe and is working to enhance its data security protocols.