Latest news with #Tea
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
I tried The Tea app and saw its dating dysfunction firsthand
On Tuesday, I published a column about a toxic app called The Tea that allows women to anonymously defame their dates without recourse. One must apply and prove their identity to get onto the females-only app. Despite being promised my application would be processed in mere 'hours,' I spent weeks waiting. Then suddenly, mere hours after dropping my piece, I was accepted. Naturally, I had to double back and give you a taste of the tea behind the curtain. What I found: hundreds of Jerry Springer-worthy plots unfolding in real time. 9 Many posts on The Tea accuse men of having sexually transmitted diseases. 'Have you dated my HUSBAND,' one New York City post reads. 'Seriously. We are NOT in an OPEN relationship. Someone went to the lengths of finding my email to tell me they went on a date with my husband and sent me [a dating app] screenshot amongst 20+ others.' Another accused a local 26-year-old — whose photo, full name, and Instagram account are all attached — of being a porn addict who had a 'whole girlfriend.' 'I also discovered a secret Instagram where he follows tons of OnlyFans models and weird fetish accounts,' the post alleges. 'He visits sex parlor massage shops to hook up with women and even follows one of the parlors on Twitter.' 9 One woman asked other users whether they have dated her husband. 9 Many users take swipes at the sexual performance of past lovers. Because The Post hasn't been able to verify any of these accusations and to protect people's privacy we're not including any names or faces in this article. One local apparent 'Instagram influencer', 31, is accused of being 'verbally and emotionally abusive' and, weirdly, being,'controlling of shared food while living together.' The user also took a swipe at him sexually: '[He] has a small and dirty [penis], and doesn't last longer than 30 seconds in bed (I wish I was joking.)' One 39-year-old New York City man is accused of 'always having 5+ girls on rotation, many believe they are in exclusive relationships with him. This behavior has been going on for YEARS… He is a professional at this game. Has lots of 'client dinners' which is just code for he's on a date.' Another 31-year-old is accused of having genital herpes and being 'desperate and disgusting.' One user warned others of a 28-year-old New Yorker, who she dated long distance for nearly a year. 'He went to prison for eight months last year for illegally hoarding ghost guns,' she wrote. 'All you have to do to find out more about this is google [his name and] ghost guns and you'll have plenty to read about.' Some other posts are just straight up petty. One user, looking for info on a guy she apparently was planning a date with, was merely told: 'He talks too much.' 9 One New Yorker was accused of hoarding ghost guns in a post. 9 A Tea user posted an image of another woman, accusing her of trying to steal her boyfriend. 9 The female-only Tea app has caused a stir with its mna-targeting content. REUTERS 'D—k type small but chat like he got some big ole s—t,' another user wrote about a 21-year-old New York man. Someone posted an image of a 22-year-old New York City woman, writing, 'This is not a man I know but I think it's important. She continued to come on to my boyfriend despite knowing everything and me confronting her.' The app also allows women to ask one another for advice, from whether it's possible for a porn addict to change his ways to whether it's 'okay for a guy you've been talking to for 3 years to ghost you without any communication.' A more shocking question: 'I (20) have been talking w this guy (33) on tinder/snapchat and he's been talking abt all the things he wants to do to me sex wise … is it wrong if I ask for money?? and if so how much? we already hooked up once but I wanna feel like im getting something in return.' Answers — like, 'He sounds insatiable but go ahead' and, 'Get your money!' — were unanimously supportive. The app also offers a reverse phone number search, which we tested but it proved to be largely useless. 9 One user claimed that their former flame was really on dates with other women when at 'client dinners.' 9 A local man was accused of being a porn addict and having secret Instagram accounts. Their local sex offender map failed to actually load on my phone, but the app will help direct you towards background checks, criminal record searches, and court record searches if you have adequate information on your date. Scroll through The Tea, and you'll find thousands of men's faces with often damaging comments attached to them. According to media lawyer Robert Roth, Section 230 protects The Tea from being sued, and anonymous users are very difficult to hold accountable for defamation and false claims.. 'What this means is that users of the app can write nasty things about other users but the ones written about can only sue the writers if they can actually figure out who they are,' Roth told The Post. 'Since most use pseudonyms, that's next to impossible.' So, the women of The Tea can continue spilling it with abandon for the foreseeable future.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tea app disables DMs after second security issue exposes over a million private messages
Just days after a massive data breach exposed tens of thousands of user-submitted photos, the dating safety app, Tea, has disabled its DM feature after reports of a second security issue Less than a week after suffering a high-profile cybersecurity breach, the dating safety app, Tea, has announced some direct messages were also accessed in the incident. The second security issue has prompted the app to disable its private messaging feature 'out of an abundance of caution'. On Friday, July 25 the dating safety app Tea became aware of a data breach which exposed 72,000 images - including selfies and photo IDs used for account verification. The personal data was reportedly shared by users on 4chan, an image-based bulletin board. On Monday, July 28, 404 Media - which was the first to report on the initial breach - shared news of a second major security issue after receiving information from an independent security researcher. As verified by 404 Media, an independent researcher said hackers were able to access over a million private messages between users, including discussions of abortions, infidelity, and the sharing of personal phone numbers. While Tea users operate with anonymous screennames, 404 Media confirmed it was simple to uncover user identities and personal details through the private messages it obtained. This new revelation contradicts Tea's initial statement which stated that only users signed up before February 2024 were affected by the security breach. The independent investigation revealed messages from early 2023 (when Tea launched) up until last week. On Tuesday , July 29, Tea shared that it will temporarily disable its direct messaging feature, presumably in response to the report. The company posted: 'We have recently learned that some direct messages (DMs) were accessed as part of the initial incident. 'Out of an abundance of caution, we have taken the affected system offline. At this time, we have found no evidence of access to other parts of our environment.' Just a day before news of the second issue was revealed, Tea stated that it was working with 'some of the best external cybersecurity experts out there' and that an investigation was ongoing. In a statement to the Mirror this week, a spokesperson for Tea said the company detected a security incident on Friday, July 25 and immediately took steps to contain the incident and launched a full investigation. "We have also reached out to law enforcement and are assisting in their investigation," the spokesperson confirmed. Despite the upheaval of the data breach, Tea said it has received over 2.5million requests to join in the past week alone and that it is struggling to meet response and acceptance times. In its latest post Tea shared that it expanded its approvals team and instigated an 'updated, expedited approvals process' to move through its waitlist more quickly. The company said it has accepted over 800,000 new member requests between July 30 and July 31 morning alone, but that the waitlist is already back up to 1.5 million requests. Tea brands itself as a resource for women to protect themselves while dating by hosting an anonymous forum to seek advice about men they are interested in or report 'red flag' behaviour of past dates. All posts are anonymous and women must be verified before joining. The company has grown in increasing popularity over recent months, becoming the top free app in Apple's download rankings. However, it has received criticism for violating men's privacy and has been called the 'man-shaming' app. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Canada News.Net
15 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Tea dating app confirms photo leak amid surge in users
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Tea, a controversial dating app that allows women to anonymously review and comment on their experiences with men, has confirmed a significant data breach affecting tens of thousands of user images. The company disclosed that hackers gained unauthorized access to its systems, compromising approximately 72,000 images. A spokesperson for Tea told Reuters over the weekend that the breach involved 13,000 photos submitted for identity verification — including selfies and official IDs — along with 59,000 images taken from user-generated posts, comments, and direct messages. The company emphasized that no phone numbers or email addresses were exposed and that the breach only affects users who joined the platform before February 2024. "There is no evidence at this time that any additional user data was impacted," the company said in a statement. "Protecting Tea users' privacy and data is our highest priority." Tea stated that users do not need to change their passwords or delete their accounts and added that "all data has been secured." The company said it has brought in third-party cybersecurity experts and is working "around the clock" to fortify its infrastructure. The breach was first reported by tech news outlet 404 Media on July 25. Tea, which launched with the mission that "women should never have to compromise their safety while dating," has grown rapidly in popularity. The app allows verified women to anonymously share Yelp-style reviews of men they've dated or interacted with. Some reviews include serious allegations, such as emotional abuse, coercion, or non-consensual behavior. One user wrote in an Apple Store review that she discovered over 20 red flags about a man she had just started speaking to, including accusations of assault and secretly recording women. "I can't imagine how things could've gone had I not known," she wrote. The app surged to the No. 1 spot on Apple's U.S. App Store as of July 24, driven by viral attention on social media. According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, downloads rose by 525 percent in the week of July 17 to 23. Tea claims it received over two million new user requests in recent days and now has a total of four million users. However, the app has also drawn criticism for what some see as a form of digital vigilantism. A columnist for The Times of London described Tea as a "man-shaming site," writing that it relies entirely on anonymous users with no accountability. "With Tea on the scene, what man would ever dare date a woman again?" she asked. Lawyers have also noted the legal risks for users. Attorney Aaron Minc said his firm has received hundreds of complaints related to Tea in recent weeks. "People are upset. They're getting named and shamed," he said. While U.S. law generally shields platforms from liability for user-generated content, individuals can still be sued for defamation or privacy violations. Tea's rapid rise — and the backlash that followed — may have made it a target. "These sites create enemies. They put targets on themselves," Minc added. "It's not surprising to see them get attacked."
Buzz Feed
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
35 Fun Products That Are Also Very Good At Their Jobs
A reusable silicone cactus dryer ball that pet owners especially love because it catches hair like nobody's business. These lil' desert bubs will also help soften fabric, reduce wrinkles, *and* save drying time, so they'll put all the decorative but useless succulents in your home to shame. A limited edition (!!) Eos Marshmallow "Super Balm" lip treatment from the brand's "secret menu" so good that reviewers say it's better than Carmex for healing and better than Summer Fridays for quality. Lip care that will also taste like you're perpetually eating a s'more for less than $5?? My friends, life is good. A ridiculously charming octopus-shaped blackhead remover you can use to gently scrub as part of your skin routine or in the shower to remove excess sebum to exfoliate pores and pull out blackheads, whiteheads, and other miscellaneous gunk from the day that you'd rather evict. A set of limited edition Band-Aids with retro flower patterns so the next time you get a little ouch, you can be like, "wound care, but make it summer-y." A NeeDoh "Dream Drop," another release from the *elite* Needoh sensory fidget toy line for anyone who wants to add more calm and focus to their day. This goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish with a "slow rise" before going back to its original shape. Reviewers also love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean. A set of eye-popping fine point pens designed not to bleed through pages for planners and journals, so you can — gasp — color code your tasks, putting a fun twist on them that makes it all the more motivating to stay focused 🌈. Nyx's brand new "Smushy" Matte Lip Balm made with mochi rice powder (!!) for the ultimate subtly blended soft matte look. Reviewers love that it's buildable, moisturizing, gives their lips a ~natural~ look, and comes in delicious flavors like cherry pie and raspberry sorbet 😋. A set of hair tie bracelets designed to look like *actual* jewelry, so you won't be kicking yourself when you realize you left a hair tie on your wrist for every photo. A retro-style Comfort Pro rocking camp chair in a newer "Sweet Tea" color combo so darling that all of its cool features will be just an extra perk. Reviewers have loved this cult-fave, lightweight outdoor chair for years because it's super lightweight, portable, and ohhhh-so-comfortable when you're sitting for long spells during games, camping trips, or other outdoor events. Now it's cuter than it's ever been!! McCormick's Potato Topping Seasoning for anyone who's not afraid to get a little feral about their air-fried, mashed, and baked potatoes — this blend of salt, garlic, and asiago cheese is so mouthwateringly delicious that you'll be dumping it on everything from popcorn to grilled cheese to guacamole. An adorable little puppy night-light with a soft white glow that will make it the perfect critter for gently illuminating bedrooms and bathrooms at night. It even has eight different color modes so you can finally live your childhood dream of having a purple dog! A "Gracula" garlic crusher, because you know what? If a 108-year-old vampire lurking moodily in the trees in the Pacific Northwest isn't going to fall in love with you and grant you immortality, one might as well make your life in the kitchen a little easier. Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets so downright (dare I say, DANGEROUSLY) delicious that even the biggest coffee snobs you know might trade in their precious pour-overs. That is, if they can handle the 300 mg of caffeine per cup. 👀 Patchology's "Rosé Toes" moisturizing foot mask to give your dry, cracked heels some shea butter, strawberry oil-infused relief in ten minutes flat — not unlike the glass of rosé that hits at Friday happy hour. Reviewers are genuinely impressed by how much of a difference these make in so little time! Built's "Puff Protein Bars" that are basically chocolate-covered marshmallows that also, by some witchcraft, have 17 entire grams of protein in them?? And NO weird aftertaste. If you are also someone who is in a perpetual state of "I need protein or I will bite someone's brain off," I am telling you, nothing in this WORLD will feel better than pulling one of these out of your bag. A stackable set of sheep toilet roll holders so you'll never be caught in a baaaaaaaa-d situation without an extra bit of TP to spare. A cloud-shaped utility knife you will *need* in your life if you're a person who gets a lot of packages — this will save you a whole lot of time and effort (and DESPAIR over your ruined nails) with quick, easy cuts. Vacation's Classic Whip SPF 30, a wildly beloved "dessert for your skin" that feels so lightweight and decadent to apply that reviewers can't get enough of it. (No, REALLY. This is selling out all over 😭.) Not only does it feel ridiculously indulgent, but it's water-resistant and sensitive skin-friendly, so you'll be the sweetest AND safest treat. A set of vinyl coasters to give your coffee table a delightfully retro nostalgic touch *and* protect it from the perils of condensation. Birdie, an indoor carbon dioxide monitor that — bless her dramatic heart — will flip over and "die" if the air quality in your home goes down, prompting you to open a window or run an air purifier so you can breathe easier. Once Birdie is happy with the air quality again, she'll pop back up! A set of espresso martini instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea, the zing! of coffee, and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail, without the exorbitant bar price tags. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious cocktail in one minute. A ~magic~ banana hand lotion you can easily keep in your bag to soothe dry and cracked hands with its vitamin A and potassium-rich banana extract. Reviewers love how moisturizing this feels, how lovely the mild scent is, and also what a delightful flex it is to be like, "Hey, want some lotion from my tiny purse banana?" A flowerpot-shaped lemon juicer designed to flex on all your other kitchen tools — it will not only be amazing at its job, but look gosh darn adorable doing it. A guided visual sloth "breathing partner" you can use for meditation and calm to shift your mindset. This is designed to guide you through either the popular 4/7/8 or 5/5 "calming breaths" to help reduce stress and anxiety, using colors that fade in and out softly as cues. Bonus: it's kid friendly! A set of french fry clips that will not only secure your food bags, but rest in their own little magnetic fry pouch that sticks onto the fridge. Just further proof that there is nothing the humble potato cannot do. A super effective and strangely whimsical foaming drain cleaner for anyone who wants to make cleaning a whole aesthetic. This gentle but powerful foam will pull up gunk and clean out drains in sinks, bathtubs, and floor drains, helping prevent plumbing issues and making everything smell ~squeaky clean~. A platypus jar-scraping spatula so you can get every!! last!! MORSEL!!! of your peanut butters, Nutellas, and mayos, just as international super spy and legendary hero Perry the Platypus would have wanted. A "Shower Cat" for anyone who sheds enough in the shower that they could, in fact, costume an entire production of Cats. This gizmo attaches to the shower wall as a handy place to stash loose hair so it won't wrap around the drain and cause you a headache later (also not unlike a production of Cats). A daisy-shaped egg separator so the next time you're getting your protein in, you'll have some legit "flower power" on your side. A Godzilla microwave cleaner you can fill with water and vinegar and stick in the microwave. After five minutes, the gunk will be so loose that you can DESTROYYYYYY it all the way this big dude came after Manhattan. A sword-shaped grater for anyone out there who isn't just a cheese lover, but a cheese gladiator. Fight valiantly, my dairy-tolerant friends. A penguin-shaped egg cooker and holder that will make it ridiculously easy to make easy-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs on the stove, *plus* keep them safe afterward. No more sticking your eggs back in the fridge and confusing them for the raw ones anymore — you can just pop the little penguins in there for storage. Barkbox's "Dogness Monster" Super Chewer designed for doggos that go to CLOWN TOWN with their chew toys and for puppies in their biting phase. No more cleaning up a plush graveyard from toys that weren't up to the task!! A set of cat-shaped dual-sided sponges that dared to ask, "What if we turned Scrub Daddy sponges into cats and also made them way more affordable?" These will be the purrrrfect solution for your kitchen aesthetic *and* budget. A fire escape wall shelf so you can add a nostalgic city aesthetic to your room, plus make your knick-knacks reenact scenes from Spider-Man movies. Bonus — this is a great alternative to the $200 (!!) version at Urban Outfitters.
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
Data breach causes dating app to take down messaging system
Tea, a popular dating app that allows women to review and conduct background checks on men, experienced a massive data breach that exposed sensitive information about its users. The app announced on Monday, July 28 that some direct messages were accessed in the cyber-attack, along with tens of thousands of photos and other personal information. In a post on social media, Tea said it 'recently learned that some direct messages (DMs) were accessed as part of the initial incident.' 'Out of an abundance of caution, we have taken the affected system offline,' the statement said. 'At this time, we have found no evidence of access to other parts of our environment.' Tea Dating Advice allows women users to vet their dates, using crowdsourced information and public records to evaluate men, including their online dating profiles. The intention, according to the app's website, is to make dating safer for women. When did the initial security breach occur? On July 25, the company announced that a security breach compromised "a legacy data storage system" of about 72,000 images, including photos of users and images from posts, comments and direct messages in the app. The breach has raised concerns among its users and reignited conversations online about digital safety and privacy. It has also resurfaced some controversies over the premise of the application, particularly among men. Here's what to know about the app and the recent data breach. What is the Tea app? Tea Dating Advice was unveiled in 2023 but only recently gained popularity after receiving increased attention online. Its name comes from the phrase "spilling tea," or sharing secrets or gossip. The app provides users with a way to check the personal history of men, including a "Reverse Image Search" feature that helps catch men catfishing − pretending to be someone else online to attract potential romantic partners. Women on the app can also post anonymous dating reviews, share experiences with men they've dated (good and bad, giving them corresponding "green" or "red" flags) and share other information. "Tea ensures that women have the information they need before meeting someone new," the company says on its website. How many people use the site? More than 1.7 million women have used the app, according to the company. If you joined the app before February 2024 and are concerned about your driver's license information or other personal information being misused, you can find tips on the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft website. In a statement on their website, Tea wrote, "we are currently working to determine the full nature and scope of information involved in the incident." The statement added, "If you have questions or concerns, please contact our support team at support@ Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
