Tea dating app suspends messaging after the major data breach

The women’s dating safety app Tea has suspended its messaging feature following a cyberattack that exposed thousands of private messages, posts and images.

The app, which helps women run background checks on men, confirmed that direct messages were accessed during the initial breach disclosed in late July.

Tea has 1.6 million users, primarily in the US. Affected users will be contacted directly and offered free identity protection services, including credit monitoring and fraud alerts.

The company said it is working to strengthen its security and will provide updates as the investigation continues. Some of the leaked conversations reportedly contain sensitive discussions about infidelity and abortion.

Experts have warned that the leak of both images and messages raises the risk of emotional harm, blackmail or identity theft. Cybersecurity specialists recommend that users accept the free protection services as soon as possible.

The breach affected those who joined the app before February 2024, including users who submitted ID photos that Tea had promised would be deleted after verification.

Tea is known for allowing women to check if a potential partner is married or has a criminal record, as well as share personal experiences to flag abusive or trustworthy behaviour.

The app’s recent popularity surge has also sparked criticism, with some claiming it unfairly targets men. As users await more information, experts urge caution and vigilance.

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