Apple Confirms Removal of Controversial Dating Applications
Apple has officially confirmed the removal of two highly scrutinized dating applications. These apps are named Tea and TeaOnHer. They were both pulled from the App Store globally on Tuesday, October 21 2025. This decisive action followed extensive public criticism. The criticism focused on critical security and privacy violations. Furthermore, the developer failed to resolve the ongoing issues.
Mandates Broken: Policy Violations Highlighted
Apple stated the removal was due to a failure to comply with its clear guidelines. The company cited severe breaches of the App Review Guidelines. The violations were multifaceted and serious. For example, the apps violated Clause 1 point 2. This mandates a system for users to report and block inappropriate content. In addition, the apps broke Clause 5 point 1 point 2. This rule strictly prohibits the collection or unauthorized sharing of private user data.
Apple also cited a violation of Clause 5 point 6. This rule addresses apps with a high number of critical complaints or negative reviews. The company received numerous complaints. These specifically included reports of minors’ private information being shared. Apple stated it communicated these issues to the developer beforehand. The final removal was necessary. This was because the required fixes were not implemented.
The Scale of the Apps’ Popularity and Exposure
The two applications had gained significant popularity before their removal. Data from Appfigures reveals the financial and user magnitude. The app Tea accumulated 6100000 total downloads worldwide. It generated a substantial 5000000 dollars in revenue. Its companion, TeaOnHer, achieved 2200000 total downloads.
However, their operations were fundamentally flawed. In mid-2025, the original app, Tea, suffered a severe hack. This security breach led to a massive data exposure. The incident involved the leak of more than 72000 images. Personal identity verification documents from over 3000 users were also compromised. This massive data failure underscored the high-risk nature of the platforms.
The Continued Availability on Android Platforms
Despite Apple’s global action, both applications remain available. They can still be downloaded on the Google Play Store. Therefore, Android users in Southeast Asia and other regions are currently unaffected by the removal. The different policies between the two major mobile platforms are now clear. The availability on Android continues the debate. It questions data privacy standards across the wider mobile ecosystem.
New Trend: Clone Apps Quickly Gaining Traction
The market demand for these controversial platforms remains high. This is true despite the recent security scandals. For instance, a new clone application has quickly emerged. This app is called TeaOnHer and Him – Overheard. This substitute app saw a sharp increase in user adoption. Its downloads instantly surged after the original apps were pulled. This rapid shift highlights the constant challenge facing platform operators. They must police new apps that attempt to capitalize on controversial trends.
Origin: Techcrunch
