"Tea" App: Millions Use Women-Only Platform for Dating Safety, Sparks Controversy

New women-only app "Tea" has rapidly become the most downloaded free app on Apple's App Store in 2025, offering millions of women a platform to anonymously share reviews and warnings about men they've dated. While praised for empowering women with safety tools, the app faces scrutiny over privacy concerns, potential for defamation, and a recent data breach.

Launched in 2023 by software developer Sean Cook, the "Tea" app aims to help women navigate the dating landscape more safely by providing a space for candid feedback on potential partners. Cook developed the app after witnessing his mother's challenges with online dating, and the company donates 10% of its earnings to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

How Tea Works

Unlike traditional dating apps that facilitate matches, "Tea" functions as a women-only forum. Users can post photos and details about men they are involved with, seeking insights and experiences from a nationwide anonymous community. Key features include:

♦ AI-powered reverse image search: Helps detect fake profiles and "catfishing" attempts.

♦ Background checks: Screens for criminal records, sex offender status, and undisclosed marriages.

♦ Anonymous forum: A community space for discussing dates and partners, and seeking advice.

♦ Alerts: Users can set notifications for ongoing updates on specific men's names.

♦ Strict user verification: Requires selfies to confirm users are women, aiming to minimize fake accounts.

These tools have proven invaluable for many users; for instance, one user reportedly uncovered pending domestic violence charges against a suitor, information she otherwise would not have found prior to meeting.

Explosive Popularity and Growing Concerns

"Tea" has amassed millions of users and maintains a strong 4.7 out of 5-star rating on the App Store, partly fueled by viral TikTok videos where women share "red flag" or "green flag" evaluations of men. It recently became the number one lifestyle app, attracting over a million new users in just one week.

However, the app's rise has also ignited significant debate and criticism:

♦ Public Shaming and Defamation Risks: Men featured on the app are often subjected to public shaming without consent. Critics argue this can lead to false or exaggerated claims that unfairly damage reputations. Concerns have also been raised about users extending critiques beyond safety warnings to personal judgments on character or appearance.

♦ Anonymity and Legal Liabilities: The anonymous nature of feedback raises questions about legal liabilities concerning defamation and the misuse of personal information. Experts warn of the inherent risks associated with unverified allegations and data privacy.

♦ Recent Data Breach: "Tea" recently confirmed a data breach that exposed approximately 72,000 photos and sensitive user data, intensifying fears about digital safety on the platform.

♦ Verification Loopholes: While designed exclusively for women, reports indicate some men have managed to bypass verification requirements using AI-generated images, raising questions about the app's gender exclusivity and community-driven moderation.

Experts suggest that while "Tea" addresses legitimate concerns about women's dating safety, it may also foster distrust and potentially hinder natural relationship development by encouraging over-reliance on crowdsourced judgments.