Data breach exposes 33,000 women’s addresses on Google Maps: What happened

data breach

A massive data breach at dating-advice app Tea has put thousands of women at risk, after the personal details of more than 33,000 users were exposed online.

The breach not only leaked sensitive data but also led to the creation of disturbing online maps and games that harassed women across the United States.

According to a BBC report, the leaked information appeared on Google Maps, where thousands of pins marked the locations of Tea users. These maps essentially allowed anyone to see where the women lived or worked. Google has since removed the maps, saying they violated its harassment policies. But the damage had already been done.

The data spread rapidly across websites, apps, and social media platforms. In one shocking case, researchers found a game built around the leak where players were encouraged to rate women’s selfies, ranking them from most to least attractive. Mentions of Tea also exploded on online forums like 4Chan, with over 12,000 posts about the app in just three weeks. The fallout has now reached the courts.

More than 10 women have filed a class-action lawsuit against the company behind Tea, accusing it of failing to protect their privacy and putting them in danger. This isn’t the first time the app has drawn controversy. Past reports suggest Tea tried to infiltrate Facebook communities for promotion and even impersonated women to monitor men’s behavior.

Critics say this latest breach has only deepened concerns about the platform’s practices and lack of accountability. For many, the Tea data leak highlights the serious risks women face when their personal information is mishandled. What started as a dating-advice platform has now become a cautionary tale about online safety and the urgent need for stronger data protection.