Apple Removes Controversial Dating Apps Tea and TeaOnHer from App Store Over Privacy and Moderation Failures Apple has confirmed the removal of the dating apps Tea and TeaOnHer from its App Store. The company stated the apps were taken down for violating several of its App Store rules, specifically citing breaches related to user privacy and content moderation. According to Apple, the apps broke a fundamental rule that prohibits sharing or using an individuals personal information without first obtaining their explicit permission. The apps also failed to meet requirements for handling user-generated content. These rules mandate that apps must provide a way for users to report offensive content, a feature to block abusive users, and a system to filter objectionable material from being posted publicly. Apple further cited issues with user reviews for both apps, noting an excessive volume of negative feedback and user complaints. Some of these complaints reportedly involved the sharing of minors personal details. Apple indicated that it had previously raised these concerns with the apps developers, but the problems were not adequately resolved. While no longer available on iOS, both apps remain accessible for Android users through the Google Play Store. The app Tea, formally named Tea Dating Advice, functions as a platform where women can post details about men they have met or dated. Its features allow users to post and comment on photos, look up public records on individuals, perform reverse image searches, share dating experiences, and rate men with labels like green flag or red flag. TeaOnHer is a similar app that reverses the dynamic, enabling men to share information about women. Both services are marketed as dating safety tools. Tea, for instance, promotes itself as a way to ask our anonymous community of women to make sure your date is safe, not a catfish and not in a relationship. Tea first appeared in 2023 and gained significant viral attention this year. However, its rise was marred by security incidents. In July, hackers breached the app, leading to the leak of tens of thousands of images. This data included approximately 3,000 selfies and photo IDs that users had submitted for account verification, alongside posts, comments, and private messages. A subsequent hack exposed over a million private messages. TeaOnHer faced security problems shortly after its launch in August. Shortly after it went live, it was discovered that the app had vulnerabilities allowing anyone to view the selfies and photo IDs users uploaded for verification, as well as their email addresses. The app was also noted to have copied text directly from Teas own App Store description.
