Apple Removes Controversial Dating Apps Tea and Teaonher

Dating Safety Apps, Tea and TeaOnHer, Removed from Apple App Store

The availability of the dating safety applications, Tea and TeaOnHer, has been discontinued on the Apple App Store. This removal was initially identified by Appfigures, a provider of app store intelligence, who informed TechCrunch that both applications were taken down from the App Store on Tuesday across all regions, though they currently remain accessible on Google Play.

Apple’s Reasoning for Removal

Apple has officially confirmed the apps’ removal. The decision stemmed from failures to comply with Apple’s stipulations regarding content moderation and the safeguarding of user privacy. Furthermore, a substantial volume of user complaints and unfavorable reviews were received, including reports concerning the posting of personal information belonging to minors within these applications.

A company representative stated that these concerns were communicated to the app developers, but no corrective actions were implemented. A request for comment directed to the developers remains unanswered.

Specific App Store Guideline Violations

Apple specifically referenced breaches of its App Review Guidelines 1.2, 5.1.2, and 5.6. Guideline 1.2 mandates that applications featuring user-generated content must incorporate reporting and blocking mechanisms, alongside the removal of inappropriate material.

Rule 5.1.2 prohibits the utilization or dissemination of personal information without explicit consent. Additionally, Rule 5.6 stipulates that an excessive number of user reports and negative feedback constitute a violation of Apple’s Developer Code of Conduct.

The Rise and Controversy of Tea and TeaOnHer

Tea and TeaOnHer garnered significant attention and media coverage after achieving viral status earlier this year. Tea, initially launched in 2023 but gaining prominence in 2025, was marketed as a safety resource for women navigating the dating landscape, echoing the functionality of Facebook groups dedicated to identifying shared dating experiences.

The app facilitated the sharing of details about men encountered on dating platforms, including personal information, review-style assessments, and classifications as either “green flags” or “red flags.”

However, many men expressed disapproval regarding the app’s intrusion into their privacy and raised concerns about potential defamation resulting from the shared information.

Data Breaches and Security Concerns

Following its surge in popularity, Tea experienced a data breach during the summer months. Hackers successfully accessed 72,000 images, encompassing 3,000 selfies and photo IDs submitted for verification, as well as 59,000 images from posts, comments, and direct messages.

Subsequently, a competing application, TeaOnHer, was introduced, aiming to provide a platform for men to share their perspectives on women. However, it was quickly plagued by security vulnerabilities that exposed users’ personal data, including government-issued identification and selfies, as reported by TechCrunch in August.

Download Numbers and Revenue

According to Appfigures, the Tea app has accumulated 6.1 million lifetime downloads and generated $5 million in gross revenue. TeaOnHer recorded 2.2 million downloads but did not offer in-app purchases. Currently, both applications remain available on Google Play.

Emergence of Copycat Apps

The removal from the App Store has spurred the growth of similar applications. For example, an app named TeaOnHer and Him – Overheard has reached 354,000 total downloads and has risen in the app charts, moving from position No. 90 to No. 27 in the Overall Top App Charts.