Many of the most downloaded and top-grossing apps in the United States are developed and maintained by foreign companies': FBI urges users not to download Chinese mobile apps over privacy risks

Date:
Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:40:00 +0000

Description:
Chinese apps store sensitive data on servers in China, which the government can access, FBI warns.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Pro Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter FBI warns that Chinese apps may expose sensitive user data Apps can collect contacts and personal information beyond usage Users advised to limit permissions and update devices regularly The FBI is warning American citizens that using mobile apps developed by Chinese companies could put their sensitive data at risk, as well as the data of
their friends, family, and others in their contacts list.

In a new PSA , the FBI said apps maintaining digital infrastructure in China are subject to the countrys national security laws which enable the
government to access mobile app user data. Users should be aware of what user data these apps request access to upon download, the PSA reads. When access
is permitted by the user, the app can persistently collect data and users' private information throughout the device, not just within the app or while the app is active. Article continues below You may like Is your AI chat history public? These 198 iOS apps just leaked user data TikTok fans are flocking to these 3 privacy-first alternatives instead Signal is being targeted by Russian hackers in a huge new phishing campaign, FBI says What to do instead The FBI singled out three specific issues things: the fact that some apps offer the option to invite friends and contacts, the fact that some apps tell their users where collected personal information is being stored, and that some apps might contain information-stealing malware.

Those that offer invites, if installed with default permissions, might
collect data on users address books, including peoples names, email
addresses, and phone numbers.

This permission gives the apps access to a host of personal information belonging to both users and non-users in their contact lists, the FBI warned.

Although the FBI did not explicitly advise against using Chinese-made apps,
it did say users should disable unnecessary data sharing, only download verified apps from official app stores, and change their passwords regularly. Furthermore, they are advised to regularly update their devices, and read the terms of service and end-user license agreements before downloading apps. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro
newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

According to appfigures.com, top apps in the US for Android right now are:

1. ChatGPT (US-built)

2. TikTok Lite (headquartered in Singapore and Los Angeles, but Chinese app
in general) What to read next New report identifies the most data-hungry fitness apps Top photo ID apps leak user data - over 150,000 thought to have been affected FBI says its investigating claims its systems were compromised
- wire taps and search warrants apparently hijacked

3. WhatsApp (US-built)

4. Temu (Chinese-built)

5. TikTok (same as TikTok Lite)

6. PDF & Launcher for Android (Hong Kong)

7. Monopoly Go!Chat (US-built)

8. The White House app (US-built)

9. Instagram (US-built)

10. Whatnot (US-built)

On iOS, the list is almost the same, with a few notable differences. It includes a game by Ta Ta Game Technology Limited, an app developer company that does not state where its from, at all, as well as a game by a Turkish developer.

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