Full Breakdown
Congress Expands Investigation into TeaOnHer App and Newville Media
2/13/2026, 1:02:05 AM
Overview of the Investigation
The House Oversight Committee is intensifying its investigation into Newville Media Corporation, the company behind the now-defunct TeaOnHer app. This app, which allowed men to share information about women they dated, has faced serious allegations, including the unauthorized sharing of nude images and sensitive personal data. Lawmakers are particularly concerned about the migration of user data from TeaOnHer to Trinity Social, a new platform that has been criticized for lacking adequate age verification and content warnings.
Background of TeaOnHer
TeaOnHer was launched as a competitor to the popular Tea app, which is aimed at women. However, it quickly garnered controversy due to reports that it facilitated the sharing of sensitive information about women, including government IDs and explicit images. Following a data breach in August that exposed the information of approximately 86,000 users, the app was removed from the Apple App Store. The Oversight Committee began its investigation last year after these troubling reports surfaced.
Key Findings of the Oversight Committee
The Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), has raised multiple concerns regarding Newville Media's practices. They noted that Trinity Social, which has been marketed as an all-in-one social media platform, does not have mechanisms in place to prevent minors from accessing sexually explicit content. Furthermore, the platform lacks a basic warning about potential pornographic material and does not require users to confirm their age before accessing its content.
The lawmakers have demanded extensive documentation from Newville Media, including internal communications and details about the August data breach. They have expressed skepticism regarding Newville's claims that it is preserving content from TeaOnHer for the investigation, especially given that the app has been shut down.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of Newville Media have voiced concerns that the migration of users from TeaOnHer to Trinity Social was conducted without proper consent. Comer and Mace highlighted that users were not given an option to opt-out of this migration, raising questions about the legality of the process. Additionally, there are allegations that the app disseminated sensitive content about minors, with the company reportedly requiring extensive documentation to remove posts involving juveniles.
Official Statements & Responses
In their correspondence with Newville Media, Comer and Mace stated, “You told the Committee that TeaOnHer users post about themselves... but you told TeaOnHer users... that TeaOnHer had a ‘review model,’ for users to post about other people.” They also expressed concerns that the pornographic posts on Trinity Social could be non-consensual and potentially illegal under federal law.
What's Next
The Oversight Committee has set a deadline of February 26 for Newville Media to respond to their requests for information. This expanded investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the issues surrounding TeaOnHer and its successor, Trinity Social, as lawmakers seek to hold the company accountable for its practices.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Attempts to contact Xavier Lampkin, the founder of Newville Media, for comments on the investigation were unsuccessful. The lack of response from the company raises further questions about its transparency and willingness to cooperate with the ongoing inquiry.
