The 404 Media Podcast The Inside Story of Tea
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Aug 20, 2025 Dive into the alarming investigation of the Tea app, which misled users about their privacy while targeting women's safety groups. Uncover the dark side of TikTok Shop, where GPS trackers are marketed for stalking. Explore the questionable marketing tactics used by dating apps, as well as the ethical dilemmas in influencer-led content. Plus, hear about AI persona prompts that push boundaries. This engaging discussion sheds light on pressing issues around safety, consent, and digital deception.
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Tea's Core Promise And Rapid Collapse
- Tea marketed itself as a women's dating-safety app where verified women could share information about men to protect others.
- The app went viral then was quickly breached, exposing sensitive user data and private conversations.
The Grassroots Originator Paola Sanchez
- Paola Sanchez founded the Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook groups that grew into a 7 million-member movement.
- Sanchez told journalists Tea approached her to be the app's face but she declined and later raised concerns about Tea's conduct.
Inauthentic Promotion Targeted Women’s Groups
- After Sanchez declined, Tea-related accounts swarmed the Facebook groups promoting the app and mimicking organic replies.
- Emmanuel couldn't prove Tea itself operated the accounts but linked them to inauthentic marketing and hijacked or bot accounts.