Overview

• The app halted its messaging feature and paused key services after hackers leaked tens of thousands of user images and over a million private messages
• Tea has engaged external cybersecurity firms, offered free identity protection services, and cooperated with an FBI investigation
• Two class-action lawsuits in Northern California accuse the company of negligence in securing user data
• Despite the breach, the incident drove Tea to the No. 3 spot on Apple’s App Store by July 31
• The fallout highlights tensions between the demand for women’s safety vetting tools and concerns over privacy breaches and potential defamation