Academics meet Reality

In South African dating culture, the joke that women are investigators raises deeper questions about care, trust and surveillance in digital relationships. FBI: Female Boyfriend Investigator explores this paradox through the Tea App saga, examining how lateral surveillance can be used to protect others while simultaneously raising concerns about privacy, power and the potential harm of sharing personal information. Through communication theory and critical self-reflection, this episode considers the complexities of navigating safety and trust in an increasingly digital world.