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Tea app, once marketed as a safe platform for women to share dating experiences and warn others about abusive men, has experienced one of the most disturbing privacy breaches in recent memory. In July 2025, a hack leaked sensitive information onto the online forum 4chan, exposing approximately 72,000 images, including about 13,000 selfies and ID photos, and over 1.1 million private messages. This massive data breach has led to ten class-action lawsuits against the company.
Ten Women Sue Tea App After Data Breach Exposes Personal Data and Photos on 4chan
Tea app is now facing ten legal cases for failing to protect its users’ privacy. The July cyberattack exposed highly sensitive user information, including private images and messages that revealed names of alleged abusers and safety warnings. These details were then leaked onto 4chan, a forum known for hosting harmful content.
Plaintiffs accuse the Tea app of negligence and failing to notify users promptly about the breach. Some lawsuits blame 4chan for spreading stolen material and point out that Elon Musk’s X platform further amplified the circulation of the stolen data. A federal judge in San Francisco has consolidated five of these lawsuits into a single proceeding to simplify the case.
Legal analysts predict high financial stakes if Tea app is found to be in violation of privacy and data protection laws. The potential damages could range from $1,000 to $5,000 per affected user, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in compensations due to the widespread nature of the breach.
This legal processing highlights the gravity of the situation, as apps like Tea are designed to protect users who have experienced abuse and are already at heightened risk. The incident raises broader questions about the rapid development of AI-driven apps and whether security must be an afterthought.
In response, a new app called TeaOnHer, which is meant for men to review women, has gained popularity. However, reports now warn against its serious security vulnerabilities as well.
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What was the primary reason for the ten class-action lawsuits against the Tea app?
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