Dating safety app Tea suspends messaging after hack
2 hours ago Share Save Charlotte Edwards Technology reporter Share Save
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Messaging has been turned off on the women's dating safety app Tea, following a hack which has exposed thousands of images, posts and comments. In a new statement the company said: "As part of our ongoing investigation into the cybersecurity incident involving the Tea App, we have recently learned that some direct messages (DMs) were accessed as part of the initial incident." The app, which allows women to do background checks on men they might date, first said it had been hacked in late July. It's a US-based women-only app with 1.6 million users, who have been told to expect further updates as more information becomes available.
"Our team remains fully engaged in strengthening the Tea App's security, and we look forward to sharing more about those enhancements soon," the company said. "In the meantime, we are working to identify any users whose personal information was involved and will be offering free identity protection services to those individuals." A report from tech publication 404 Media claims some of the exposed messages include sensitive conversations around abortions and infidelity. "Conversations could include names, details of past relationships, or other private material, opening the door to blackmail or emotional harm," cybersecurity expert Rachael Percival told the BBC. She said Tea users should accept free identity protection from the company as soon as it's offered. "It may include credit monitoring, fraud alerts, and identity theft insurance," she said.
Images hacked