Liputan6.com, Jakarta Tea App, a women-focused dating safety app, recently confirmed a serious hacking incident that occurred on Friday, July 25, 2025.
This incident resulted in a massive leak of user data, raising serious concerns about the privacy and security of personal information.
Thousands of images, including identity verification selfies, were reportedly accessed by malicious parties.
The incident first came to light on the online forum 4chan, where users claimed to have discovered the exposed database and began sharing the leaked data.
Investigative media outlets followed up on the report, prompting an official confirmation from Tea App.
This hack significantly damaged the reputation of an app built on a foundation of security and user protection.
This data leak raises serious questions about the data storage practices and security measures implemented by digital platforms.
While Tea App was founded with the noble goal of protecting women from unsafe dating experiences, this incident highlights the vulnerabilities that can exist even in apps focused on security.
Tea App: A Safe Dating Platform for Women
Tea App is a dating safety platform designed specifically for women, allowing them to share information and experiences about the men they meet.
The app was launched in 2003 by Sean Cook in San Francisco, inspired by his mother's struggles with online dating.
Cook wanted to create a safe space for women to identify potential "red flags" or "green flags" in dating relationships.
To ensure user authenticity, Tea App requires women to submit a selfie as part of the verification process.
The app features image searches, phone numbers, background checks, and access to criminal and sex offender databases.
Users can also provide anonymous feedback about men they meet.Another key feature is the prevention of screenshots to protect user privacy.
Furthermore, Tea App demonstrates its social commitment by donating 10% of its profits to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
While its goals are noble, the app has been mired in controversy over concerns about men's privacy and the potential for the spread of unverified allegations.
Chronology of the Tea App Hack and Its Impact
On July 25, 2025, Tea App confirmed to CBS News that its systems had been hacked, with the perpetrators accessing a legacy data storage system.
The breach involved approximately 72,000 leaked images.
Of these, 13,000 were verification selfies and government-issued ID photos, such as driver's licenses, that users uploaded to gain access to the platform.
Another 59,000 images came from publicly viewable posts, comments, and direct messages on the app.
The breach occurred in a "legacy data system" containing information from more than two years ago.
The breach was first reported by users on the online forum 4chan, who claimed to have discovered an exposed Firebase database.
The leaked data, including personal images and identities, quickly spread online on platforms like 4chan and X (formerly Twitter).
Some reports even mentioned an anonymous user creating a Google Map, claiming to display the coordinates of affected users, though without specific names or addresses.
This incident demonstrated serious vulnerabilities in the management of historical data.
Tea App's Official Response and Data Security Implications
In response to the incident, Tea App immediately engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to secure its systems.
They stated that there is no evidence that current user data or any additional data was affected by the hack.
The company also claimed that the leaked data was initially stored to comply with law enforcement requirements related to cyberbullying prevention.
Nevertheless, this hacking incident highlights the inherent risks in online identity verification processes.
When sensitive data such as selfies and government IDs are collected, insecure storage can have serious consequences.
This case serves as an important reminder for users and app developers about the urgency of personal data protection.
The Tea App hack raises serious concerns about the privacy and security of users' personal data, especially for women who rely on the app for security.
This incident underscores the importance of regular security audits and system updates to prevent unauthorized access.
User trust is our most valuable asset, and a data breach can permanently damage a platform's reputation.