Dating Apps Exposing User Data Spark Legal Concerns and Ethical Debate
Two apps designed to facilitate safer dating by sharing information about past partners have rapidly ascended in popularity within Apple’s U.S. App Store—only to be embroiled in significant data security breaches that have compromised the personal information of thousands of users.
Tea, which topped iPhone downloads in July after going viral, allows women to anonymously review men they’ve dated and promotes itself as a platform for sharing experiences. It was recently joined at the top of the rankings by TeaOnHer, a similar app intended to assist men in navigating dating safety through “verified reports” detailing potential “red flags.” As of this reporting, TeaOnHer holds the second position among free U.S. iPhone App Store downloads, with Tea following closely behind.
Both applications are now facing potential class action lawsuits after security vulnerabilities were exploited by hackers and media outlets, leading to the exposure of users’ identification documents, personal photos, and in some instances, private messages. While Tea swiftly addressed the breach, a substantial volume of user data was already downloaded and disseminated online. TeaOnHer’s vulnerability persisted for approximately one week before it was purportedly rectified; however, the company has yet to publicly acknowledge the incident or alert impacted users about the compromise of their drivers’ license information.
Newville Media Corporation, the entity behind TeaOnHer, maintains a minimal online presence and appears unresponsive to inquiries made through its published email address, which resulted in automated bouncebacks. Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, observed on Bluesky that “the individuals who develop an app in less than two weeks are not typically those prioritizing secure coding practices or robust privacy safeguards.”
The emergence and subsequent failings of these apps highlight anxieties surrounding contemporary dating culture and the public’s desire for solutions to address concerns about dishonesty and abuse. The concept behind Tea originated in 2023, drawing inspiration from existing Facebook groups dedicated to sharing information about potentially problematic romantic partners. Founder Sean Cook initiated the app following his mother’s experience with online dating, which included being deceived through catfishing and unknowingly interacting with individuals with criminal histories. Tea offers features like background checks, criminal record searches, and sex offender databases alongside anonymous user testimonials. Users are required to provide a selfie for verification purposes and have previously been asked to submit photo ID.
While some users laud the app’s utility—one reviewer credited it with revealing that a suitor was already married—the data breaches have ignited debate about the ethics of publicly naming and shaming individuals online, as well as concerns regarding reciprocal protection. Male reviewers of TeaOnHer expressed frustration at what they perceived as an uneven playing field, questioning why men should not also be afforded opportunities to safeguard their reputations. The company behind TeaOnHer has remained silent regarding the data breach and associated user privacy concerns, with no currently functioning website listed under Newville Media Corporation or its CEO, Xavier Lampki.
