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Apple Pulls Tea and TeaOnHer From App Store Over Privacy and Moderation Failures

The takedown leaves both review apps live on Google Play as copycats climb the charts.

Overview

  • Apple confirmed it removed Tea and TeaOnHer from the App Store in all markets on October 21 after the delisting was first spotted by Appfigures.
  • The company cited violations of App Review Guidelines 1.2, 5.1.2, and 5.6, as well as an excessive volume of complaints that included reports of minors’ personal information being posted.
  • Apple said it communicated required fixes to the developers, who did not resolve the issues, while TeaOnHer’s founder said the team implemented extensive safeguards and disputed the decision.
  • Both apps remain available on Google Play, and alternative “tea” apps have surged in downloads, with Tea on Her & Him – Overheard jumping to No. 27 with 354,000 total installs.
  • The removals follow a series of security failures, including Tea’s breach exposing roughly 72,000 images and private messages and separate TeaOnHer flaws that leaked IDs and selfies, with litigation continuing against Tea.