An app that allows woman to run background checks on the men they meet online has suffered a data breach.
The hack has exposed thousands of user-submitted photos posted to the Tea app, it was confirmed on Friday (July 25).
The app is used by millions of women in the US and had even featured as the Apple app store's top free app this week.
In addition to photos, some posts from the app itself may also have been viewed, raising serious concerns about user privacy and security.
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Suggestion of the hack first originated on 4Chan earlier this week.
What is the Tea app?
The app was actually launchd in 2023 by a man: Sean Cook.
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After his mom's 'terrifying' online dating experiences - including unknowingly dating men with criminal records - he wanted to create a safer dating scene for women.
App users can run background checks on dating site users, as well as search for criminal histories.
There's also a reverse-search photo feature to check whether a man is catfishing.
Tea users have to take a selfie to verify that they're women. These photos are then reportedly deleted from the system.
What has the Tea app hack exposed?
Some 72,000 images, including 13,000 verification photos as well as images of government IDs, were accessed, the company has said.
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Meanwhile, Associated Press has reported another 59,000 images, which were publicly visible within the app's network - such as direct messages, posts and comments - were also accessed without permission.
The breach is only believed to have affected those who registered with the platform before February 2024.
“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that additional user data was affected," the company said.
“Tea has engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and are working around the clock to secure its systems. Protecting our users’ privacy and data is our highest priority. Tea is taking every necessary step to ensure the security of our platform and prevent further exposure,” the spokesperson added.
Who is responsible for the hack?
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It's not officially known who is behind the hack.
However, a 4Chan thread emerged on Thursday evening calling for the 'hack and leak' of the Tea app.
The following morning, a social media user posted a link which supposedly allowed people to download a database of the stolen images.
Photos of alleged app users have now reportedly been posted on 4Chan and X, formerly Twitter, as per NBC News.
Topics: Technology, Sex and Relationships, US News, Community, Social Media, Twitter
Ellie Kemp