Dating safety app Tea suspends messaging after hack

Tea Dating App Halts Messaging After Major Hack Exposes User Data

By Omega TV UK News Desk

The women-only dating safety app Tea has suspended its messaging feature following a significant security breach that compromised thousands of user images, posts, and private messages.

Tea, which enables women to vet potential dates through background checks and reverse image searches, confirmed the cyberattack in late July. The company has now revealed that direct messages (DMs) were also accessed during the breach.

In a new statement, the platform said:

“As part of our ongoing investigation into the cybersecurity incident involving the Tea App, we have recently learned that some direct messages (DMs) were accessed as part of the initial incident.”

1.6 Million Users Affected

Based in the US, Tea serves over 1.6 million users, all of whom have been advised to await further updates as investigations continue. The company pledged to improve its security and provide free identity protection services to anyone whose personal information was compromised.

“Our team remains fully engaged in strengthening the Tea App’s security, and we look forward to sharing more about those enhancements soon,” the company added.

Tea has started identifying users impacted by the breach and says affected individuals will receive credit monitoring, fraud alerts, and identity theft insurance.

Sensitive Content Leaked

A report by 404 Media claims that some leaked conversations involve deeply personal topics, including abortions, infidelity, and former relationships. Cybersecurity expert Rachael Percival warned that the leak could open the door to emotional manipulation or blackmail.

“Users should not hesitate to accept the free identity protection being offered. It could provide critical safeguard.

Images and Verification Photos Compromised

Kevin Marriott, a senior cybersecurity manager at Immersive, expressed concern that hackers might exploit the combination of direct messages and personal images.

“Anyone who shared meet-up locations, contact details, or ID photos should be on high alert,” he advised.

Previously, Tea acknowledged that hackers had accessed over 72,000 user-submitted images, some of which showed women holding photo IDs for verification photos the app’s privacy policy promises to delete immediately after use.

The breach reportedly affects users who joined before February 2024.

Controversy and Rising Popularity

Tea has grown rapidly in recent months, gaining attention for features that allow users to flag “red flag” behaviours from men they’ve dated and highlight “green flags” for others. While many have welcomed its mission to empower women and improve dating safety, critics accuse the app of promoting an anti-men agenda.

Staying Vigilant

Experts urge users to remain cautious and monitor their accounts closely as it’s still unclear how hackers intend to use the stolen data.

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