The women-only dating app Tea recently experienced a severe data breach after its unsecured database was discovered by hackers. Over 72,000 private images, including selfies and government IDs uploaded for user verification, were made publicly available. The leaked data also included private messages and public posts, totaling 59.3 GB. Despite claims of only containing ‘old data,’ the breach included information from as recent as 2024 and 2025. The data, originally secured to comply with law enforcement prevention laws against cyber-bullying, was inadequately protected, reflecting a trend in reliance on generative AI for app development without proper security measures in place. Critics noted that the app's original focus was on creating a safe space for women to discuss their experiences with men, which ironically resulted in exposing its users' sensitive information. Tea users are now advised to monitor their financial information as some IDs have already surfaced on searchable platforms. The incident highlights the risks associated with 'vibe coding', where rapid development is prioritized over secure programming practices.

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