Apple has removed the controversial dating safety apps Tea and TeaOnHer from its App Store following multiple violations of the platform’s policies on content moderation and user privacy. The removal, first reported by app intelligence firm Appfigures, applies to all markets, though both apps remain available on Google Play.
An Apple spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating the apps failed to meet its requirements and did not address the issues after being notified. The company cited an excessive number of user complaints and negative reviews, including serious allegations that minors’ personal information was being shared on the platforms. Specifically, Apple identified violations of its App Review Guidelines related to user-generated content, data privacy, and the Developer Code of Conduct.
Tea, which gained viral attention earlier this year, was marketed as a safety tool for women, allowing them to anonymously share details and post Yelp-style reviews of men they dated. The app quickly drew criticism for privacy invasion and potential defamation. The controversy escalated when Tea suffered a major data breach over the summer, exposing 72,000 user images, including photo IDs submitted for account verification.
A rival app, TeaOnHer, later launched to allow men to review women but was immediately plagued by its own security flaws that leaked users’ personal information and government-issued IDs.
According to Appfigures, Tea had accumulated 6.1 million downloads and generated $5 million in gross revenue. TeaOnHer had 2.2 million downloads but offered no in-app purchases. In the wake of their removal, copycat apps are already gaining popularity. One such app, “TeaOnHer and Him – Overheard,” has surged in the App Store charts, jumping from 90th to 27th overall.
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