Dating App Leak Exposes Women’s Safety Networks to Risk
Data breach of “Tea” app highlights dangers of digital gossip
A significant data breach at the popular dating advice app “Tea” has exposed sensitive user information, including driver’s licenses and direct messages. This incident raises alarms about the safety and privacy of women who rely on such platforms for vetting potential partners, as reported by NPR. The app, which touts itself as a secure space for users to share information about online matches, suffered a leak that put its users’ personal safety at risk.
“Whisper Networks” Under Scrutiny
The “Tea” app, which enables users to conduct background checks, perform reverse image searches, and communicate anonymously about men, experienced a major security incident on July 25th. Hackers gained access to personal data, which was subsequently leaked online. The company confirmed that direct messages were accessed, leading them to take the affected system offline. Only users who registered before February 2024 were impacted by the breach. Online users reportedly used metadata from leaked photos to attempt to map the locations of Tea subscribers.
“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.”
—A representative for the Tea app
This incident comes amid a broader conversation about “whisper networks,” informal systems where women share information about potentially problematic men. These networks gained prominence during the Me Too movement, serving as a tool for women to warn each other and mitigate risks of retaliation. However, experts caution that the digitization of these networks can strip away crucial nuances and increase the potential for misuse.
From Gossip to Online Harassment
Carrie Ann Johnson, an assistant teaching professor at Iowa State University, noted that while these networks have historically existed, their digital form presents unique challenges. When it moves to an app, I think we end up having more problems, largely due to the language of whisper networks, which is often a little bit coded.
she explained. The loss of nuance and the inability to calibrate trustworthiness online can transform these platforms into spaces for unverified accusations.
Emily Laidlaw, an associate professor at the University of Calgary specializing in cybersecurity law, highlighted the potential for such platforms to devolve into online mob behavior.
She commented, Any of these things, when you’re talking about what are essentially forms of gossip, have the potential themselves to also be sources of harm.
The unchecked dissemination of critical information can lead to public shaming and severe real-world consequences for those targeted.
The Tea app breach has already led to two class-action lawsuits filed in California. Furthermore, users on social media platforms have reportedly mocked and threatened the women whose data was leaked, with some even calling for the creation of a male counterpart to the app using the compromised database. This echoes past incidents, such as a public Google Doc detailing allegations against men in the media industry, which resulted in the originator settling a defamation lawsuit for a significant sum.
Recent data indicates a rise in online harassment. A 2023 report by the Pew Research Center found that 41% of U.S. adults have personally experienced online harassment, with 12% reporting severe forms of abuse. This statistic underscores the broader societal challenge of navigating digital communication and ensuring accountability.
The inherent risks of digital gossip and the potential for information to be weaponized online present ongoing challenges for platforms aiming to enhance user safety. The Tea app incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between community-driven information sharing and the imperative to protect personal privacy in the digital age.
