Tea App Breach: 13,000 Photos Exposed Following 4chan’s Call to Action

The Tea app, which gained popularity as a platform for women to safely discuss their experiences with men, has experienced a significant data breach. A spokesperson confirmed on Friday that hackers accessed sensitive information, leading to the leak of around 72,000 images, including 13,000 verification photos and government IDs of users.

Tea was designed as a virtual whisper network, enabling women to share photos and comments about men they encounter. Users can label individuals as “red flags” or “green flags,” fostering a community for safety and awareness.

The app’s popularity surged, recently becoming the top free app in the Apple App Store, with claims of nearly one million new signups within a week. To join Tea, users are required to submit selfies for verification, which the app promises to delete after review.

Anonymity is emphasized, as users are protected beyond their chosen usernames, and screenshots within the app are blocked. However, the breach involved data stored in a database from over two years ago, which was initially kept in compliance with cyberbullying prevention regulations.

In response to the breach, Tea has engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to enhance system security and protect user data. A company spokesperson stated that safeguarding user privacy is the highest priority and they are working diligently to prevent further exposure.

The breach has provoked backlash, particularly from some men who worry about being misrepresented on the app. Discussions on 4Chan suggested a “hack and leak” campaign, and a thread on social media has shared links to alleged victim photos.

Meanwhile, concerns have also arisen regarding the potential for cyberbullying linked to the app’s functionality. Some men have proposed a male-only version of the app as a countermeasure, but initiatives like these have faced severe criticism.

Despite the chaos following the breach, Tea continues to report that signups have exceeded 2 million in just a few days, reflecting ongoing interest amid privacy concerns.