A new app, “Tea,” has taken over the internet and erupted plenty of controversy along the way. First launched in 2023, Tea is curated as a women-only platform for its users to anonymously share their experiences with men they’ve dated or are currently seeing. Women are able to upload names, photos, comments, and “green” or “red flags” to warn other people or to highlight their positive behavior. One of the two founders, Sean Cook, made the Tea app after he’d seen his mother’s poor experience with online dating, striving to improve confidence in secure digital dating.

The app took off, skyrocketing during the summer. Tea was ranked in the number one spot for downloaded apps in the U.S. It was able to do this by the popularity gained through viral TikToks and word buzzing around from women and men. The Washington Post reported that downloads boosted close to 200% in the span of only a few weeks. Many believe that Tea represents a community-sourced background check watch over others since online dating often feels unreliable.

Tea’s rise has formed many debates and scandals. Critics express the negative aspects of the app’s public humiliation, permitting women to post personal information about men. Many report that the app enables doxing, which completely goes against the policy of security and ethics. Some argue that Tea is problematic by disrupting men’s images, because false or exaggerated posts could unfairly ruin reputations. Still, users defend Tea, claiming it is a tool for women’s reassurance and solidarity.