The dating safety apps Tea and TeaOnHer have been removed from Apple’s App Store after failing to meet the company’s requirements for user privacy and content moderation.
According to TechCrunch, Apple confirmed that both apps violated its policies regarding data protection, user safety, and moderation standards. “The apps failed to meet the requirements to remain in the App Store, which include content moderation and user privacy,” the company said in a statement.
The removal follows a series of negative reviews and complaints from users, including reports that minors’ personal information had been shared or exposed within the apps. Apple stated that it had reached out to representatives from both platforms to address the complaints, but noted that the issues were not resolved.
RELATED STORIES: Tea App Hacked: Over 72,000 Images of Women Leaked in Shocking Privacy Breach
Controversy Over the Dating Review Concept
The Tea app initially gained attention earlier this year for its controversial approach to dating transparency. The platform allowed women to share experiences about men they dated, rating them as either a “red flag” or a “green flag.”
While the idea was marketed as a safety tool for women to warn others about potentially dangerous or deceptive partners, it quickly became divisive. Many men criticized the app for being one-sided and prone to defamation. In response, a counterpart app called TeaOnHer was created, offering men a platform to review women using the same “red flag/green flag” concept.
This gender-based backlash sparked major debates online about privacy, consent, and public accountability in the digital dating space.
Apple’s decision to remove both apps effectively shut down the platforms that had become viral flashpoints in the ongoing conversation about dating safety and accountability.