Apple has taken decisive action by removing the women’s safety app Tea, along with its male counterpart TeaOnHer, from the App Store across all markets. This move follows a report from TechCrunch, which highlighted the initial discovery made by app insights platform Appfigures.
Background on Tea and Security Concerns
Tea was designed to enhance safety for women in the dating scene, functioning as an online whisper network where users could share negative experiences about men, reminiscent of the controversial “Are we dating the same guy?” Facebook groups. However, the app faced significant scrutiny after a cyberattack in July exposed sensitive information, including images of drivers’ licenses, personal chats, and phone numbers.
In addition to Tea, its counterpart TeaOnHer was also found to have security vulnerabilities, raising further concerns about user privacy and data protection.
Apple’s Compliance Standards
In its communication with TechCrunch, Apple clarified that both apps failed to meet the company’s stringent content moderation and user privacy standards. Specifically, they did not adhere to the App Review Guidelines, particularly Rules 1.2 and 5.1.2. Rule 1.2 mandates that apps featuring user-generated content must provide mechanisms for blocking and removing users, while Rule 5.1.2 prohibits the use or sharing of personal information without explicit permission.
Furthermore, Apple pointed to section 5.6 of its Developer Code of Conduct, which emphasizes respectful treatment of all individuals in communications related to the App Store. This section explicitly prohibits harassment, discrimination, and manipulative behavior, warning that violations could lead to removal from the Apple Developer Program.
Developer Response and Market Status
Despite Apple’s efforts to communicate these issues to the developers of Tea and TeaOnHer, it appears that the concerns have not been adequately addressed. As of now, both apps remain available on the Android app store, highlighting a potential disparity in compliance and oversight between platforms.
Apple’s decision underscores the importance of user safety and privacy in the ever-evolving landscape of mobile applications, setting a precedent for developers to prioritize these aspects in their offerings.
