If you use an Android phone then you need to be alert. Two dangerous apps have been found on the Google Play Store, which is stealing your data and sending it to China. According to a cyber security analyst firm, the data stolen by these apps has been traced to servers in China. The company says that these apps have been downloaded by more than 1 million people. That is, millions of users can be affected by these apps equipped with spyware.
This app is stealing data
In a blog post, mobile cyber security analyst company Pradeo claims that it has alerted Google about this search. Two apps containing Chinese spyware are "File Recovery and Data Recovery" and "File Manager". Both are published by the same developer named Wang Tom. As the name suggests, the app helps users manage data and in some cases restore deleted files from their phone, tablet, or any Android device. If users are still using these apps then they are advised to remove them immediately.
This is how Google was tricked
These apps have somehow circumvented Google Play's rule for apps to declare the data they collect. The profiles of both the above applications on the Google Play Store declare that they do not collect any data from user's devices, which the cyber security firm found to be false information. Furthermore, they declare that if data was collected, users cannot request to delete it, as this is against data protection laws such as the GDPR.
This data-stealing app
The research firm says that this app steals information like the contact list of all accounts linked to users' contact list, users' real-time location, mobile country code, network provider name, code, SIM provider's network number, device brand, and model. have been The research firm suggests that users should check reviews before downloading apps. Apps often show up with many downloads, but no reviews raise red flags. The security firm also says that users should read them carefully before allowing the app.
(pc amarujala)
