The women-only dating app Tea suffered a catastrophic data breach exposing the private information of over 72,000 users, including selfies and government IDs. The app, designed for safety, left its backend database unsecured, allowing hackers to access sensitive personal data, which was subsequently spread online. The leaked data totalled 59.3 GB and included recent messages, undermining the app's claims of protecting users' identities. Critics pointed out that the breach resulted from developers relying on poor coding practices influenced by trends like ‘vibe coding,’ where minimal security is implemented during app creation. The incident highlighted systemic issues in app security and the risks users face when their data is not adequately protected. Tea had quickly gained popularity, reaching over 4 million users, but this incident marred its reputation and left users vulnerable to further risks, prompting recommendations for credit monitoring.

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