Tea App Temporarily Disables Messaging System After Major Data Breach

Tea, a popular women-focused dating safety app, has taken its messaging system offline after confirming a massive data breach that compromised sensitive user information. The incident, which came to light on July 28, has triggered widespread concerns over privacy and online safety.

In a statement posted on social media, Tea said, “We recently learned that some direct messages (DMs) were accessed as part of the initial incident. Out of an abundance of caution, we have taken the affected system offline.” The platform emphasized that there is currently no evidence of intrusion into other parts of its infrastructure.

What Was Affected?

The breach, which occurred on July 25, targeted a legacy data storage system. It exposed approximately 72,000 user-submitted images, including personal photos, screenshots from posts, comments, and direct messages. While Tea continues to investigate the full extent of the breach, the messaging feature remains disabled to prevent further compromise.

What Is Tea App?

Launched in 2023, Tea has rapidly grown in popularity for its unique approach to women’s safety in online dating. The app allows women to review and perform background checks on men, using crowdsourced feedback and public records. Its tools include a reverse image search to detect catfishing, anonymous dating reviews, and a red/green flag rating system to assess users' experiences with potential partners.

Tea claims it empowers women with essential information before meeting someone new and has drawn a user base of over 1.7 million women.

Ongoing Concerns

The breach has reignited debate around digital safety and the ethics of crowdsourced personal data. Some critics, especially men, have questioned the app’s premise, but many women say it fills a critical safety gap in modern dating.

The company is working closely with cybersecurity experts to identify the breach’s full impact and is urging affected users—particularly those who joined before February 2024—to review FTC identity theft protection guidelines. Users can reach Tea’s support team at [email protected] for further assistance.

Final Word

While the messaging system remains offline, Tea says it is committed to restoring trust and enhancing security protocols. The platform remains operational, and many of its core features are still available as investigations continue.