Tea App Map Goes Viral After 4chan Leak. Are Users Now Being Tracked?

The women-only dating app 'Tea' has confirmed a major data breach that exposed over 72,000 user images, including selfies and government-issued IDs which has been uploaded for profile verification. The leak was identified after a 4chan user posted about it, prompting Tea to release a public statement. The app, which has been created by Sean Cook, said there was "unauthorized access to one of our systems" and that its older data storage systems had been compromised.

According to the company, 13,000 of the leaked images were verification selfies, while 59,000 were photos from user accounts that were visible to others on the app, reported HT. Some of the verification images included sensitive documents like driver's licenses.

Tea is also facing rising concerns about how the leaked data is being used online. According to reports on social media, users are now reportedly creating maps to track women who allegedly doxxed men by sharing their personal details on the Tea app. These maps are being shared as retaliation after the 4chan breach. The app, which was initially promoted as a safety tool for women, is now facing intense backlash and growing fears over digital harassment.

Tea said that it began an internal probe after reports about the leak surfaced on social media. The company is also investigating claims that the breach was caused by poor Firebase configuration.

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Its privacy policy states, "Tea Dating Advice takes reasonable security measures to protect your Personal Information to prevent loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and destruction. Please be aware, however, that despite our efforts, no security measures are impenetrable," as reported HT.

The company has not said how many users were affected by the hack.