Google Maps leak: Dating app reveals home addresses of 33,000 women online

A data breach at dating-advice app Tea exposed the personal details of over 33,000 women, leading to harassment on Google Maps and social media.

A major data breach at dating-advice app Tea has put over 33,000 women in danger after their personal details were leaked online.

The Tea data breach exposed thousands of women’s details online, sparking lawsuits and raising serious safety concerns. (Pexels)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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The exposed data was used to create disturbing maps and online games that harassed women across the United States. According to a BBC report, the information appeared on Google Maps with thousands of pins marking users’ addresses. Google later removed the maps, saying they violated its harassment policies, but the leak had already spread across apps, websites and social media platforms.

In one extreme case, researchers discovered a game based on the breach where players rated women’s selfies and ranked them by attractiveness. Mentions of Tea also spiked on forums like 4Chan, which saw more than 12,000 posts about the app within three weeks.

The fallout has now reached court. More than 10 women have filed a class-action lawsuit against Tea’s parent company, accusing it of negligence and putting them at risk. This is not the first controversy for the app.

Previous reports claimed Tea tried to infiltrate Facebook groups for promotion and even impersonated women to track men’s behaviour.

The incident has intensified criticism of Tea’s practices and lack of accountability. For many, the breach underscores the dangers women face when their personal information is mishandled. What began as a dating-advice platform has turned into a cautionary example of poor online safety standards and the urgent need for stronger data protection.

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