Concerns are growing over the dangers of online dating after a popular women-only app—designed to anonymously expose and “vet” men—was hit by a major cyberattack. Hackers gained access to sensitive user data, including photos, addresses, and private information about both app users and the men they discussed.

The viral app Tea, which boasts over 4 million users, offers an anonymous experience for women to upload photos of men they’re dating in order to crowdsource opinions about them, all in the name of safety, however critics have called it a ‘gossip’ and ‘slander’ app against men. 

The app’s website describes features such as background checks, sex offender and criminal record searches, and reverse image searches to identify catfishing. “Spilling the tea” is central to the company’s branding, and users are promised anonymity to discuss and comment on men posted in the app. They can also create custom alerts about specific men or seek advice and support from users in the community. 

In a July 25 announcement, Tea informed users that their database had been hacked. A statement on the website confirmed that hackers accessed 72,000 images and some direct messages between users. The statement informed readers that their comments on the extent of their investigation were limited given the involvement by the FBI. 

Ironically, the app designed to anonymously expose men, has exposed thousands of women via one 4chan user posting a Google Maps link attributing their identification photos and address to a pin on the map. (RELATED: Joy Behar Cautiously Announces “The View’s” Hiatus)

The hack comes shortly after the viral Coldplay concert where Astronomer CEO and the head of HR were caught in an embrace on a concert kiss cam—a viral moment which seemed to unite the country in nationwide scorn over the cheating scandal. The Tea app, like that viral moment, taps into the part of us that wants to see justice for people who act unethically. By allowing users to play judge, jury and executioner on the men they upload to the app, Tea gives women free reign free of consequence due to the anonymity of its design. Women can circulate images of men without their permission, to engage in a one-sided discussion of their “bad-behavior”. 

Tea’s “About Us” page features buzzwords like safety tools, sisterhood and community, which serve as a great way to reframe this massive invasion of privacy as women’s empowerment. While the Bay area founder’s mission of improving his mother’s “terrifying experience with online dating” is a noble one, it begs the question: What are the unintended consequences here? 

In an interview with Founder Sean Cook, he described his view of technology as a tool to “drive positive impact in the world” but critics are pushing back, concerned that apps like Tea encourage “nice, normal men” to withdraw from the dating world for fear of reputational harm or even damage to their career. Conservative commentator, Tomi Lahren elaborated on this point in an interview on Fox News:

Detransitioner and conservative activist Chloe Cole offered her thoughts about Tea and the greater implications on the modern dating world:

Many conservative voices have chimed in to comment on the bottom-line impact to the dating world by these revenge-driven apps, longing for simpler days. Elle Purnell, a writer for The Federalist, explains why singles looking for love should turn to their community—not the internet—to find a spouse. And if you don’t have a community, she says, go make one. She writes, “vetting potential dates used to happen naturally. Maybe your friends set you up, maybe you met at church or in college. You could find out a man’s reputation from members of the community you shared, instead of from jaded anons behind a screen.”

The demand for Tea has continued to climb since its launch in 2023. In a recent announcement highlighting its more than 4 million members, the app’s social media account teased upcoming improvements to the app, including an updated waitlist. Some users responded to the Instagram post noting they had been on the waitlist for several weeks. 

As Tea continues to grow, so do the questions about privacy, consent, and the long-term effects of crowdsourced judgment in the dating world. With millions now on the platform and thousands already exposed by hackers, the Tea app stands as both a cautionary tale and a cultural flashpoint—where safety, anonymity, and accountability are increasingly at odds. (RELATED: Controversial Programs at Wisconsin Universities Lose Grant Funding in Trump-Era)