• Send Us A Tip
  • Calling all Tech Writers
  • Advertise
Saturday, July 12, 2025
  • Login
TechStory
  • News
  • Crypto
  • Gadgets
  • Memes
  • Gaming
  • Cars
  • AI
  • Startups
  • Markets
  • How to
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Crypto
  • Gadgets
  • Memes
  • Gaming
  • Cars
  • AI
  • Startups
  • Markets
  • How to
No Result
View All Result
TechStory
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Google bans apps with hidden data-harvesting software

by Disha Mitra
April 8, 2022
in News, Tech, Trending, World
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Google

Source: Techzine Europe

TwitterWhatsappLinkedin
Google
Google bans Muslim Prayer Apps secretly harvesting phone numbers.
Source: Fox business

Recently, Google booted more than a dozen applications from its Play Store which supposedly had a software used to harvest data. Among these were Muslim prayer apps with downloads of more than 10 million, a barcode scanner and a clock. This was following researchers finding out secret data-harvesting code hidden within these apps. Moreover, this secret code was designed by a firm connected to a Virginia defence contractor. Which, in turn, paid developers to integrate its code into apps to steal data of users.

You might also like

Google’s $2.4 Billion Windsurf Deal Heats Up AI Talent Wars

Tesla’s India Debut: First Showroom to Open in Mumbai on July 15

Nissan Raises $4.5 Billion to Ease Debt Pressure as EV Plans Slow Down

While researching, researchers noticed an aspect of code that was implanted in various apps use to steal away personal identifiers along with data from devices. This software development kit (SDK) which was the code was essentially a malware. Mostly, the apps involved apparently only served simple, repetitive functions. But, once implanted into one’s device, the programs integrated with the code harvested crucial data points regarding the device and its user.

The first few reports of the news mentioned how weird, invasive code was found out by researchers Joel Reardon and Serge Egelman, who co-founded AppCensus. Reardon mentioned in a blog post how AppCensus reached out Google regarding their findings last year. However, the apps were not fully banned from the store until last month.

Google issued a statement in response: “All apps on Google Play must comply with our policies, regardless of the developer. When we determine an app violates these policies, we take appropriate action.”

Notably, one of these was a QR and barcode scanner was instructed by the code collect information like IMEI, GPS data, phone number, etc when downloaded. Additionally, a group of Muslim prayer apps including Al Moazin and Qibla Compass, similarly stole IMEI, router informations and phone number. Moreover, a weather and clock widget also fed on a similar amount of data at SDK’s command. All these apps were downloaded more than tens of millions of times. Reardon explained in his post how such a database taking someones’ email, phone number and location is rather scary for it could be used to look up one’s exact location. Such a system could be used as a disadvantage forG journalists, dissidents or political rivals.

Turns out, a company registered in Panama- Measurement Systems is behind this. The researchers mentioned that the company was actually registered by a company based in Virginia called Vostrom Holdings. This company, in turn, contracts federal governments through a subsidiary organisation called Packet Forensics. App developers claimed that Management Systems paid them to put in their SDK into the apps allowing them to “surreptitiously collect data” from users. Moreover, some even claimed that the company directed them to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Once again, researchers caught a data broker tied to US national security harvesting extensive personal information including precise location via weather apps, QR readers, speed-trap detectors and Muslim prayer apps installed on >60m Android smartphones:https://t.co/gELGGRHbrc

— Wolfie Christl (@WolfieChristl) April 6, 2022

Tags: AppsGoogleMuslim Prayer appsphone number harvestingPlay Storetechnews
Tweet54SendShare15
Previous Post

Toyota to join GM, Tesla in no longer receiving the EV tax credit

Next Post

343 Industries Announces Halo Cookbook

Disha Mitra

Recommended For You

Google’s $2.4 Billion Windsurf Deal Heats Up AI Talent Wars

by Ishaan Negi
July 12, 2025
0
Google’s $2.4 Billion Windsurf Deal Heats Up AI Talent Wars

In a power move that signals escalating competition in the artificial intelligence sector, Google has secured a high-profile deal with coding AI startup Windsurf, paying a staggering $2.4...

Read more

Tesla’s India Debut: First Showroom to Open in Mumbai on July 15

by Samir Gautam
July 12, 2025
0
Tesla Is Finally Coming to India, First Showroom to Open in Mumbai on July 15

After years of speculation, tweets, and what-ifs, it’s finally happening, Tesla is coming to India. And it’s starting in style, with a brand-new showroom set to open in...

Read more

Nissan Raises $4.5 Billion to Ease Debt Pressure as EV Plans Slow Down

by Samir Gautam
July 12, 2025
0
Nissan Raises $4.5 Billion in Bonds to Refinance Debt Amid Strategic Slowdown

Nissan is raising money, and taking a long, hard look at its future. The Japanese automakerNissan Raises $4.5 Billion to Ease Debt Pressure as EV Plans Slow Down...

Read more
Next Post
Halo Cookbook

343 Industries Announces Halo Cookbook

Please login to join discussion

Techstory

Tech and Business News from around the world. Follow along for latest in the world of Tech, AI, Crypto, EVs, Business Personalities and more.
reach us at [email protected]

Advertise With Us

Reach out at - [email protected]

BROWSE BY TAG

#Crypto #howto 2024 acquisition AI amazon Apple bitcoin Business China cryptocurrency e-commerce electric vehicles Elon Musk Ethereum facebook flipkart funding Gaming Google India Instagram Investment ios iPhone IPO Market Markets Meta Microsoft News NFT samsung Social Media SpaceX startup startups tech technology Tesla TikTok trend trending twitter US

© 2024 Techstory.in

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Crypto
  • Gadgets
  • Memes
  • Gaming
  • Cars
  • AI
  • Startups
  • Markets
  • How to

© 2024 Techstory.in

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?