Controversial relationship security apps, Tea and TeaOnHer, have been pulled from the Apple App Retailer. The apps’ removing was first noticed by the app retailer intelligence supplier Appfigures, which informed TechCrunch the 2 apps have been faraway from the App Retailer on Tuesday in all markets however stay reside on Google Play.
Reached for remark, Apple confirmed the apps’ removing, saying it eliminated Tea Relationship Recommendation and TeaOnHer from the App Retailer as a result of they failed to satisfy Apple’s necessities round content material moderation and person privateness. The corporate additionally mentioned it noticed an extreme variety of person complaints and adverse opinions, which included complaints of minors’ private data being posted in these apps.
Apple communicated the problems to the builders of the apps, a consultant mentioned, however the complaints weren’t addressed. (Request for remark from the app builders has not but been returned.)
Particularly, Apple cited violations of its App Overview Tips 1.2, 5.1.2, and 5.6. Rule 1.2 says apps with user-generated content material ought to provide reporting and blocking options and will take away objectionable content material. Rule 5.1.2 says apps can’t use or share somebody’s private data with out permission, and Rule 5.6 says extreme buyer stories and adverse opinions violate Apple’s Developer Code of Conduct.
Tea and TeaOnHer have generated loads of headlines and curiosity since going viral earlier this 12 months. Tea, which had quietly existed since 2023 earlier than choosing up steam in 2025, was pitched as a relationship security software for ladies, considerably much like the “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” Facebook Groups. The app inspired girls to spill particulars about males, significantly these on relationship apps. This included their private data, Yelp-style opinions, and whether or not they’d dub them a “inexperienced flag” or “pink flag.”
Many males, nonetheless, didn’t admire the app’s invasion into their privateness and questioned whether or not sharing data like this might be thought-about defamation.
After going viral and producing controversy, Tea suffered a data breach over the summer, with hackers having access to 72,000 photos, together with 3,000 selfies and picture IDs submitted for account verification, in addition to 59,000 photos from posts, feedback, and direct messages.
Later, a rival app known as TeaOnHer launched to supply males the flexibility to dish on girls in the identical manner, however it was beset by safety points that exposed users’ personal information, together with authorities IDs and selfies, TechCrunch discovered in August.
Appfigures says the Tea app noticed 6.1 million complete lifetime downloads and had generated $5 million in gross income thus far. TeaOnHer had 2.2 million downloads and didn’t provide in-app purchases. It notes the apps stay reside on Google Play for now.
With their App Retailer removing, nonetheless, copycats are gaining traction. As an illustration, an app known as TeaOnHer and Him – Overheard has 354,000 complete downloads and has jumped from No. 90 on the General Prime App Charts to No. 27.
