A recent data breach has exposed the personal information of over 72,000 women who used a popular dating safety app called Tea. The leak includes estimated 13,000 verification photos and government IDs, as well as more than 1 million private messages. This is not just any data breach; it appears to be an act of revenge against the app’s users.
The breach was carried out by users of the 4chan message board, a platform known for its right-wing and misogynistic trolls. The leaked images and messages have been shared online, including on social media platforms X and another site where men can rate women’s selfies. This is a disturbing development that highlights the vulnerability of women to online harassment.
The Tea app was designed to be a safe space for women to share their experiences and warn others about potential red flags in their partners. However, it seems that this safety net has been breached by a group of individuals who have taken matters into their own hands. The fact that social media companies and dating sites often fail to protect women’s online safety is a major concern.
The data breach raises serious questions about the need for better online protection and accountability from these platforms. It also highlights the importance of creating digital spaces where women can feel safe sharing their experiences without fear of retribution or harassment. As Arwa Mahdawi notes, this incident may lead to legal action being taken against those responsible.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/30/there-are-no-secrets-on-the-internet-just-ask-the-women-who-entrusted-their-data-to-tea