New York: A women-only app called Tea Dating Advice has rapidly become the most downloaded free app in the United States, topping the lifestyle category on the App Store, according to data from SensorTower.com.
The app claims to empower women with tools to date more safely, offering features like AI-powered reverse image searches to catch catfish, phone number lookups to identify hidden marriages, background checks for criminal history, and access to a map of registered sex offenders, all in one integrated platform.
The company recently stated on Instagram that it had gained nearly one million new users in a short span and now boasts a community of over four million women. Promoted as a safety-first platform, Tea’s website says it was created to equip women with the tools needed to navigate online dating more securely.
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Founded in 2023 by Sean Cook, a Bay Area tech executive, the app was inspired by his personal experience, his mother was deceived by a catfish and had unknowingly interacted with men with criminal records while dating online.
Cook self-funded the development of the platform, which now claims to host “the largest women’s group chat in the US,” where users can post anonymous dating reviews, flag suspicious behavior, and share experiences for mutual support.
How it works
Only women are permitted to use the Tea app. Registration involves submitting a username, photo, official ID, birth date, and location, all of which are reviewed by moderators.
Photos are reportedly deleted after the verification process. Once approved, users can anonymously post about specific men, labeling them with ‘red flags’ or ‘green flags,’ and include additional information. The app blocks screenshots to protect privacy and ensures users remain anonymous outside of their chosen usernames.
Despite this, many applicants report on Tea’s Instagram that approval can take several days. Men are not allowed to join the app, but Tea has provided a process through which they can request content removal, by emailing their name, location, relevant details, and a photo to the support team.
Rising popularity and criticism
While its popularity has soared, Tea App has been met with significant criticism and controversy. The Times described it as a ‘man-shaming’ app, and the MensRights subreddit has called for its deletion. Concerns have also been raised that the app can serve as a platform for gossip, misinformation, and defamation, similar to unregulated Facebook groups.
A male-only counterpart, Cheeky, has emerged in response, offering anonymous dating chats for men. Its Instagram claims it was “created as a response to the Tea App.”
However, another similar platform called Teaborn, a previously popular male-only alternative that rose to number three in the free apps chart, was shut down after being accused of enabling revenge porn, which the founder publicly condemned.
Data breach exposes thousands of users
Adding to Tea App’s troubles, a major data breach occurred that exposed approximately 72,000 images, including around 13,000 ID verification selfies and 59,000 publicly viewable images from posts, comments, and direct messages.
Tea said it quickly launched a full investigation and has taken steps to assess the scope and mitigate risks. The company emphasized that user data privacy and platform security remain a top priority, and stated that it is taking “every necessary step to ensure the security of the platform and prevent further exposure.”
The rise of Tea App has sparked a broader debate around the ethics of anonymous reviews, online safety, gender-specific digital spaces, and data security, with growing concerns about the potential misuse of such platforms, especially when they have real-world reputational impacts.
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