Apple has removed two dating apps, Tea and TeaOnHer, from the App Store months after a major data breach exposed users’ private information. The removal comes amid continued criticism over the apps’ privacy failures and lack of effective content moderation. 

The controversy started earlier this year when 404 Media reported that Tea, described as a dating and safety app, had leaked sensitive data, including driver’s licenses and chat histories. 

The exposed information was traced to an unsecured database and later appeared on the forum 4chan. Despite the breach, the app briefly gained popularity and reached the top of the App Store charts, driven by widespread online attention. 

TechCrunch reported that Apple confirmed the removal of both apps, citing multiple violations of its App Store Review Guidelines. The company pointed to sections 1.2, 5.1.2, and 5.6, which address objectionable content, data protection, and excessive negative user feedback. 

Apple also received a large number of complaints and low ratings, including reports that personal information belonging to minors had been shared on the platforms. According to Apple, the developers were notified of the issues and given time to make improvements, but no adequate action was taken. 

The gap between the initial reports of the data leak and the eventual removal likely reflects this period of review and attempted remediation. The incident highlights ongoing challenges around privacy and user safety in dating apps, which often collect and store large amounts of personal data. 

While Apple enforces rules intended to protect users, the case raises questions about how quickly and effectively those rules are applied when serious privacy risks come to light. The removal of Tea and TeaOnHer underscores the growing scrutiny facing apps that fail to secure user information or moderate harmful content.