"Guess the tea really did spill entirely": Internet reacts as women-only Tea app gets pulled from App Store after massive data breach

Apple just swiped left on Tea. The women-only "whisper network" has been booted from the App Store worldwide, alongside its male-focused counterpart, TeaOnHer, after Apple stated that the apps failed to protect users' privacy or properly moderate content.

Per Mashable, Tea was created to support women's safety when going out on a date. It was an anonymous reporting platform among women to disclose their unpleasant experiences with men.

Dubbing itself as "The Movement," the app states on its landing page:

"Join a community of over 11,647,000 women dedicated to empowering each other and get access to a suite of dating safety tools made just for the FBI girlies. Share experiences and seek advice within a secure, anonymous platform. Tea is built on trust; screenshots are blocked and all members are verified as women."

It continues:

"Tea is more than an app; it’s a sisterhood. Together, we’re redefining modern dating. Plus, we give back—10% of profits are donated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline."

However, over the summer, Tea became the target of internet criticism for violating privacy, such as revealing drivers' licenses.

Meanwhile, Tea's male counterpart, TeaOnHer, was also discovered to have breached security. Both apps have also reported earning negative reviews and complaints.

Internet buzzes as Apple removes Tea and TeaOnHer from App Store

Following the displacement of the apps from Apple, social media lit up with various reactions.

"who could’ve saw this coming? this app basically encouraged women to dox and defame men without any consequences whatsoever. good riddance to bad rubbish," one X user wrote.

"An app built to expose men got exposed itself, the irony is louder than the data breach," another commented.

"The ban on the Tea App highlights how threatened the status quo feels when women take control of their safety and share vital information. Rather than vilifying anonymous platforms, we should be addressing the systemic issues that lead women to need them in the first place," an online user shared.

"Guess the tea really did spill entirely," one quipped.

"This demands a new framework for sensitive data apps: mandatory independent security audits and clear liability structures," another chimed in.

"They made an app to expose men and ended up exposing 72,000 women and their government IDs instead… insane plot twist," an internet user replied.

Tea and TeaOnHer removed after violating Apple's App Review Guidelines Rules

According to Apple, the apps didn't comply with the company's content moderation and user privacy standards. Both specifically failed to meet App Review Guidelines Rules 1.2, which states that apps with user-generated content should offer block and removal features; and 5.1.2, stating that the app can't share or utilize someone's personal information without permission.

The company also touched on the Developer Code of Conduct, which states:

"Please treat everyone with respect, whether in your responses to App Store reviews, customer support requests, or when communicating with Apple, including your responses in App Store Connect. Do not engage in harassment of any kind, discriminatory practices, intimidation, bullying, and don’t encourage others to engage in any of the above."

Section 5.6 concludes:

"Repeated manipulative or misleading behavior or other fraudulent conduct will lead to your removal from the Apple Developer Program."

Meanwhile, Tea and TeaOnHer are still available on the Android app store.

Tea and TeaOnHer, both of which have calmly existed since 2023, made headlines earlier this year, especially after the women-only app was previously pitched as a safety dating tool.

The app enables background and criminal record checks, catfish image search, s*x offender search, and more. However, it requires anonymity, while only verifier users are allowed to access the app. It also discourages screen-grabbing, as stated on its homepage.

However, men complained about the violation of their privacy, with some carrying the assumption that sharing personal information like this is defamatory.

In July, Tea suffered a data breach as hackers acquired access to over 72,000 images, about 60,000 images, and 3,000 selfies.

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