• Tea app experiences a significant data breach exposing 72,000 user images.
• The breach involved selfies and photo IDs submitted for account verification.
• No email addresses or phone numbers were compromised, affecting only early users.
• The app, designed for women's safety, allows sharing dating experiences anonymously.
• Tea has engaged cybersecurity experts to address the breach and protect user data.

The viral dating safety app "Tea" has confirmed a major data breach, with hackers accessing approximately 72,000 user images. Included in this data leak are 13,000 selfies and verification photos, as well as an additional 59,000 images from public posts, comments, and direct messages, affecting users who signed up before February 2024. Tea stated that no emails or phone numbers were compromised during the incident, according to Indiatimes and South China Morning Post.

The hackers reportedly exploited a “legacy” storage system, gaining unauthorized access to these images early Friday. Tea's commitment to user safety has raised concerns as this breach potentially exposes victims to risks of stalking or identity theft, noted cybersecurity experts citing the dangers connected to revealing personal information associated with these images, as highlighted by BBC and SFGate.

The company, which claims to support over 1.6 million users, has stated that it is taking immediate action to secure its systems by engaging with third-party cybersecurity firms. Tea's motto emphasizes that women "should never have to compromise their safety while dating," and it facilitates a unique platform for users to share experiences discreetly, according to Reuters and Indiatimes.

Despite the significant breach, the app witnessed a surge in popularity, with its user base reportedly expanding to more than two million requests for access in just a few days. This rapid growth showcased the app's appeal as a modern "sisterhood" network that aids in protecting women against potential dating scams and providing a medium to report problematic behavior, as stated in various articles from sources like South China Morning Post and BBC.