Apple Targets Viral ‘Tea’ Apps Over Privacy Concerns
Apple has removed the controversial Tea app from its iOS App Store due to concerns over user privacy and content moderation. The Tea app, aimed at women for posting anonymous reviews of men, gained considerable popularity in July. Shortly after, a spinoff called TeaOnHer emerged, targeting a male audience and gaining traction in August.
Apple’s Action Against Tea Apps
Both apps were taken down on October 21, according to Appfigures, a firm specializing in app analytics. Apple cited several reasons for the removals:
- Failure to meet content moderation standards.
- Concerns regarding user privacy.
- A high volume of user complaints and negative reviews, including reports of minors’ information being exposed.
An Apple spokesperson stated that the company attempted to communicate with the developers of both apps multiple times about these persistent issues. Despite these efforts, the problems remained unresolved.
Privacy Breaches and Legal Fallout
In late July, the Tea app confirmed it experienced a data breach that exposed approximately 72,000 images. This incident included personal information such as users’ selfies and driver’s licenses for identity verification. Following the breach, lawsuits were filed against the app, with legal representatives claiming the app’s handling of user data was negligent.
Scott Cole, the lead attorney for one lawsuit, remarked that while he doesn’t believe Tea intended to infringe upon user rights, they exhibited carelessness in managing sensitive information.
Issues with TeaOnHer
In August, founder Xavier Lampkin of TeaOnHer indicated that technical errors briefly exposed app data, which TechCrunch accessed during a short window of time. Lampkin emphasized that they corrected the issue promptly after being notified by TechCrunch.
Despite facing scrutiny, Lampkin expressed disappointment over Apple’s decision to remove the app. He asserted that the team has implemented several enhancements, including:
- Advanced AI content filtering with over 2,000 words.
- Manual moderation teams.
- Improved measures for minor protection and anti-cyberbullying.
According to Lampkin, they have engaged in over 20 feedback rounds with Apple, successfully applying a wide range of safety features and removing thousands of inappropriate posts daily.
Current Status of Tea Apps
As of October 22, some users have reported that the apps continue to function if previously downloaded on their devices. Additionally, another app called Tea On Her & Him—Overheard is currently the top app in the lifestyle category on Apple’s App Store.
