FBI warns some foreign apps could collect Americans’ data — even if you never download them | Latest Tech News
Americans’ personal data could be collected and saved abroad — even if they’ve never downloaded a foreign-developed app themselves — according to a new FBI alert warning about the dangers tied to fashionable cellular platforms.
That means data like a particular person’s identify, e-mail deal with or telephone quantity could be pulled from another person’s contact listing and probably saved overseas if a pal or member of the family grants an app access to their gadget.
The warning comes after years of scrutiny over TikTok’s ties to China, but the FBI alert suggests the issues lengthen past any single platform to a broader vary of foreign-developed apps.
In a public service announcement, the FBI said many widely used apps developed abroad, significantly those tied to China, might access in depth data once permissions are granted, including deal with books containing data on both customers and non-users.
The bureau also warned that some apps might continue amassing data in the background after access is granted and, in sure circumstances, store that data on servers in international locations where local legal guidelines could enable authorities access.
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“Developer companies can store collected data on users’ private information and address books, such as names, e-mail addresses, user IDs, physical addresses, and phone numbers of their stored contacts,” the FBI said. “The app can persistently collect data and users’ private information throughout the device, not just within the app or while the app is active.”
The FBI didn’t identify particular firms, but the warning could apply to a vary of widely used apps developed by Chinese corporations — including video-editing platform CapCut, purchasing apps like Temu and SHEIN, and social media platforms such as Lemon8 — a number of of which rank among the most downloaded apps in the United States.
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U.S. officers have long warned that data collected by Chinese-linked platforms could be used to construct detailed profiles of Americans, map personal and skilled networks, and probably assist intelligence-gathering efforts, significantly if accessed under China’s national security legal guidelines.
The FBI added that apps working in China are subject to the nation’s national security legal guidelines, which could enable the federal government to access consumer data.
Apps like CapCut, Temu and SHEIN are among widely used Chinese-developed platforms that could be affected REUTERS
The FBI also pointed to attainable warning indicators that an app could also be amassing more data than anticipated, including uncommon battery drain, spikes in data usage, or unauthorized account exercise after set up — indicators that could recommend background data assortment or other suspicious conduct.
The bureau urged customers to restrict pointless data sharing, download apps only from official app shops, and usually review permissions granted to cellular platforms. The bureau also warned that apps obtained from third-party websites might carry malware designed to gain unauthorized access to personal data.
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Years of scrutiny over TikTok culminated in a 2026 deal that pressured its Chinese father or mother company to relinquish control of U.S. operations to an American-led group in order to deal with fears over data access and national security.
The FBI’s latest warning suggests those dangers might lengthen past a single platform to a broader vary of foreign-developed apps used by hundreds of thousands of Americans.
The Chinese embassy could not immediately be reached for remark.
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