FBI Public Alert: Foreign Apps Pose Data Security Risks
Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times
The FBI has issued a warning about data security risks associated with foreign-developed mobile apps used in the United States, according to a public service announcement released on March 31.
According to the FBI, many of the most downloaded and top-grossing apps in the United States are developed and maintained by foreign companies, with a notable presence of Chinese-based apps. The agency highlighted that apps linked to China’s digital infrastructure could potentially expose users’ data to the Chinese government.
Notable apps mentioned by the FBI include TikTok, CapCut, PixVerse, and Telegram X. The FBI emphasized the need for users to be cautious about the data access requested by these foreign apps during the download process.
Users are advised to review privacy policies and be aware of where the data collected by these apps is stored, as some apps store data on servers located in China. Additionally, the FBI warned about the presence of malware in some apps that could collect unauthorized data beyond user consent.
The FBI recommended disabling unnecessary data sharing, downloading apps only from verified sources, performing regular device updates, and changing passwords frequently to mitigate data security risks.
Recent Legal Actions Against Chinese Apps
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against Shein and Temu over alleged privacy and data security issues related to their Chinese connections. In a similar move, President Trump issued an executive order in 2025 to acquire TikTok from its Chinese parent company ByteDance.
Risks Related to AI and VPNs
Several states, including Florida, New York, and Texas, have banned the use of Chinese artificial intelligence model DeepSeek due to data privacy concerns. The Tech Transparency Project raised alarms about Chinese-owned VPNs on Apple and Google app stores, citing potential privacy and security risks.
Legislation has also been introduced to block CCP-controlled apps from U.S. government devices, aiming to safeguard against potential data breaches and surveillance activities.