US EditionFBI Security Warning About some Apps | What the Tech?
Federal officials say some apps request broad permissions and can keep collecting data in the background, exposing millions of users and their contacts.
- On March 31, the FBI issued a PSA to highlight data security risks in popular Chinese-developed apps including Temu, Shein, and CapCut, which are among the most downloaded applications in the United States.
- Apps developed and maintained by Chinese companies are subject to China's extensive national security laws, which may require developers to provide user data to government authorities.
- The FBI identified the option to invite contacts as a major red flag, allowing developers to collect names, phone numbers, and email addresses even from people who never downloaded the apps.
- Users can limit exposure by auditing privacy settings, deleting unused apps, and avoiding tapping "Accept all" when downloading new software, though they cannot control what contacts share.
- Critics argue the FBI's focus on the China Threat may reflect a political vendetta rather than security strategy, questioning whether warnings about a specific country have sufficient basis.
13 Articles
13 Articles
FBI warns about foreign apps and your data – Democratic Accent
You download an app, tap “allow,” and move on. It feels routine. But according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that simple step may open the door to far more data collection than most people realize. In a recent alert from the Internet Crime Complaint Center, officials warned that many popular apps used in the U.S. are developed by foreign companies, especially those based in China. That matters because some of these apps operate under l…
FBI security warning about some apps | What the Tech?
@keyframes spin { 0% { transform:rotate(0deg); } 100% { transform:rotate(360deg); } } FBI security warning about Chinese apps | What the Tech?These apps can collect information on you even if you never download them, the FBI claims. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (WHAT THE TECH?) — The FBI warns these apps may be collecting data on Americans that could be accessed by the Chinese government. The FBI is pointing out apps like Temu, Shein and viral video editin…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
