A popular dating app, known for its anonymous review system where women can share their thoughts on men's behavior, is back with a new website after being removed from the App Store following major data breaches.
Months have passed since Tea suffered two separate breaches that exposed 72,000 images and 1.1 million messages of users discussing sensitive topics, sparking widespread concern over privacy rights and gender-based violence women often face in online dating. In an effort to regain user trust, the company has made significant updates.
The revamped website is designed to broaden access to safety tools while deepening accountability across the platform. According to Tea's head of trust and safety Jessica Dees, the app now features tighter internal safeguards, reinforced access controls, and expanded review processes to better protect sensitive information.
One notable feature on its new website is an in-app AI dating coach that offers advice for various dating scenarios. The company has also partnered with a third-party verification vendor to ensure users are women, requiring them to provide either a selfie video recording or photo accompanied by government ID during sign-up.
However, experts remain cautious, pointing out the potential risks associated with relying solely on technology to prevent online harassment and abuse. Carrie Ann Johnson, an assistant professor of women's and gender studies at Iowa State University, emphasizes that while apps like Tea can be helpful tools, they should not be trusted entirely due to their limitations in providing situational trust and relationship building.
To mitigate future breaches, Jonathan Leitschuh, a software security researcher, suggests that the company conduct external audits of their software stack to identify vulnerabilities. Penetration tests, or pen tests, are considered more comprehensive than vulnerability assessments by security professionals.
In response to user concerns, Tea claims it has completed penetration testing at various levels and implemented enterprise-grade platform security measures to protect users. The app will also monitor and moderate unchecked allegations made by users.
The revamped website is set to launch soon, with the Android app receiving new AI features.
Months have passed since Tea suffered two separate breaches that exposed 72,000 images and 1.1 million messages of users discussing sensitive topics, sparking widespread concern over privacy rights and gender-based violence women often face in online dating. In an effort to regain user trust, the company has made significant updates.
The revamped website is designed to broaden access to safety tools while deepening accountability across the platform. According to Tea's head of trust and safety Jessica Dees, the app now features tighter internal safeguards, reinforced access controls, and expanded review processes to better protect sensitive information.
One notable feature on its new website is an in-app AI dating coach that offers advice for various dating scenarios. The company has also partnered with a third-party verification vendor to ensure users are women, requiring them to provide either a selfie video recording or photo accompanied by government ID during sign-up.
However, experts remain cautious, pointing out the potential risks associated with relying solely on technology to prevent online harassment and abuse. Carrie Ann Johnson, an assistant professor of women's and gender studies at Iowa State University, emphasizes that while apps like Tea can be helpful tools, they should not be trusted entirely due to their limitations in providing situational trust and relationship building.
To mitigate future breaches, Jonathan Leitschuh, a software security researcher, suggests that the company conduct external audits of their software stack to identify vulnerabilities. Penetration tests, or pen tests, are considered more comprehensive than vulnerability assessments by security professionals.
In response to user concerns, Tea claims it has completed penetration testing at various levels and implemented enterprise-grade platform security measures to protect users. The app will also monitor and moderate unchecked allegations made by users.
The revamped website is set to launch soon, with the Android app receiving new AI features.
its just gonna be another excuse for the company to push more ads & make a profit off our suffering . dont get me wrong i wanna see some real changes, like makin it easier to report abusive users or somethin. but an AI that gives u tips on how to flirt?? please . its all just a bunch of PR spin 
. On one hand, it's awesome that they're taking steps to improve safety tools and accountability on their platform 
. The addition of an in-app AI dating coach could be super helpful for people navigating online dating 
. But at the same time, I'm a bit skeptical about relying solely on tech to prevent harassment and abuse 
.
. It's not just about tech solutions, but also about creating a community that looks out for each other 
. And let's be real, penetration tests are just the beginning - we need to keep pushing for better security measures 
.
and help create a safer online dating experience for everyone 
!
But at the same time, I think it's awesome that Tea is trying to do something about it. I mean, who wouldn't want to use an app that's got some real safety tools in place?
I mean, think about it, if we were all more aware of our own actions and how they might affect others, maybe we wouldn't need apps like this so much.
like seriously can't we just have a safe space for actual relationships online?! And don't even get me started on the verification process, 72k images and 1.1 mil messages got leaked out and now they're trying to roll out this third-party ID thingy... I mean, what's next? 
.
. Can we just have a platform that actually prioritizes user safety over profits?! 
they're literally doing everything right, but like can we really trust that their tech is tight enough? 
they're getting some decent feedback from experts and users alike, so fingers crossed it'll be good to go. but at the same time, i'm still a little scared about those data breaches months ago 
it's just not worth taking that risk.
. But, Carrie Ann Johnson's point about limits in trust-building through apps is valid 
. What if the AI dating coach isn't foolproof? Or what if the platform still gets hacked? 
.
... it's crazy how one breach can lead to major changes! I think it's awesome that they're adding more safety tools and accountability measures, like the in-app AI coach and stricter verification processes 
. But, honestly, 1.1 million messages and 72,000 images exposed is a huge risk 
.
And what about users who might be harassed or abused online? We need more than just technology to keep us safe 
.
. it's all good, right? the fact remains we gotta be vigilant & prioritize our own safety when using these apps 
gotta be cautious though, as experts are saying, tech isn't always the answer... but I'm trying to stay positive about this new site 
But, if they can nail down those security measures and conduct regular audits, I think Tea has a good shot at becoming a safer, more trustworthy space for users.