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Posted on 04/04/2026 7:32:21 PM PDT by Libloather
Americans’ personal data could be collected and stored overseas — even if they’ve never downloaded a foreign-developed app themselves — according to a new FBI alert warning about the risks tied to popular mobile platforms.
That means information like a person’s name, email address or phone number could be pulled from someone else’s contact list and potentially stored abroad if a friend or family member grants an app access to their device.
The warning comes after years of scrutiny over TikTok’s ties to China, but the FBI alert suggests the concerns extend beyond any single platform to a broader range of foreign-developed apps.
In a public service announcement, the FBI said many widely used apps developed overseas, particularly those tied to China, may access extensive data once permissions are granted, including address books containing information on both users and non-users.
The bureau also warned that some apps may continue collecting data in the background after access is granted and, in certain cases, store that information on servers in countries where local laws could allow government access.
“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 did not name specific companies, but the warning could apply to a range of widely used apps developed by Chinese firms — including video-editing platform CapCut, shopping apps like Temu and SHEIN, and social media platforms such as Lemon8 — several of which rank among the most downloaded apps in the United States.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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Hong Kong police given new powers to obtain phone, computer passwords
Mega Dittos!
Me either.
But honestly, who doesn’t already know that our personal data is being stored somewhere, as likely overseas as not?
I just received one of those Q code scam text messages from an area code in N California that tries to get you to pay imaginary court fees for some equally imaginary traffic violation to avoid being arrested or some such nonsense.
> The FBI did not name specific companies… <
Thanks, FBI. That’s a lot of help. Not.
When a general warning is sounded, some people get all worked up. Others do nothing at all. So, yeah. Also naming the companies involved wouldn’t hurt.
Hasn’t that always been a thing — evildoers collecting and storing our personal info?
Agree re QR codes; never use them. Don’t even know how.
I know what you mean. I don’t scan them, especially after I saw how some people have a coded just right side to slap on over a sign or things like that.
One thing I do like them for: My Prusa 3D printer has a little graphic screen, and if there is some malfunction, it displays a QR code that takes you right to the cause of the error and what to do.
I kind of like that application.
But the articles doesn’t say WHICH apps not to install.
Every single digital device in your general vicinity is transcribing every word you say and sending it home, not to even mention the video.
And we know that because Edward Snowden told us about it 13 years ago.
So China has the deets on millions of lonely pissed-off American women. I can deal with that.
See, this is another reason why I’m proud to wear the Neo-Luddite QR code!
I don’t download apps to my iPhone, never have. I only use the phone for calls and text messages to confirm doctor appointments and re-order prescriptions from CVS Caremark’s mail order. I don’t use it to send emails or to conduct any transactions.
Between DOGE, Oracle, Palantir, and the DOJ suing states for voter databases, the personally-identifiable information of 300+ million Americans is traveling to places most of us will likely never see, with or without passports.
Apps have been stealing our data for as long as they've been around. That's why they exist - to get our data, to track us.
For all intents and purposes we are data. This is the 21st century after all.
Data doesn't need the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. So who knows what's coming down the pike.
On my phone, Google Play Services (herein "Google Spy Services") has a page of App Settings:
"No permission required" - IMHO, this means it doesn't have to ask for permissions; it is entitled to any info it wants once activated. It must be allowed to activate itself to use Chrome, Maps, Drive, and other Google apps or they don't work.
In Settings, only "Notifications" can be selected and toggled on or off; all other "Permissions" are fixed and can only be viewed as categories, "allowed" & "denied":
"No permissions allowed" - The phone owner has no option to allow or regulate information gathering; Google Spy Services will collect whatever it wants once activated. Instead of this deceptive Clinton-speak "No permissions allowed", the button should read "Permissions are fixed by the app".
"No permissions denied" - The phone owner has no option to "deny" access to data or sensors once Google Spy Services has been activated.
If Google Spy Services wants the phone's location, it gets it.
Turning the phones "Location" setting "Off" has no bearing on Google Spy Services access to the phone's location data;
that toggle only affects apps that give you the option of letting that particular app access Location data.
If Google Spy Services wants to read the phone owner's contact list, it does so.
If Google Spy Services wants to snap a selfie, I don't think there's any control that will stop it.
Etc., etc., etc.
Google Spy Services can be "Disabled", and "Force stop"ped. But even with that, it wouldn't surprise me if it has system helpers that still collect info in the "background". Google Spy Services will simply access that historical info once it is re"Enabled".
Google "Play" Services isn't really very Playful, it's all business.
I just shut down a bunch of permissions for play services on my moto edge 2025.
Whether or not it did anything is another story, but this is showing that not all android flavors remove the ability to at least toggle permissions from play services.
My warning: Windows 11 is microsoft spyware and Windows 12 promises even more spying.
Your new car reports your location and speed and can be shutdown remotely and at the very least rack up speeding tickets.
Talking in your home and your cell phone hears you and puts ads on your Youtube tv or pc channel related to whatever the subjects were and also on your phone.
Your conversations are recorded by amazon Echo (Alexa) and google android devices, home security like Nest and apple devices and similar devices including those auto roaming roomba vacuum cleaners that record audio and video. Tv sets recording audio and video of YOU.
So if a “crime” is committed and the definition can be changed if democrats are in charge then your words will be used and twisted against you.
You are being watched.
Earthcam
https://www.earthcam.com/
Worldcam
https://worldcams.tv/
Went to the hospital for some blood work done. I was told to scan the QR code and enter the information and submit. There were several people in the waiting room all glued to their phones.
I said loud and plain enough “My cell phone isn’t connected to my ass. It’s home where I usually leave it”....that got some looks and the receptionist handed me a paper form to fill out.
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