Google removes apps for secretly copying phone numbers

[UK Sentinel]

According to bbc.co.uk – Google removes apps for secretly copying phone numbers

Google has removed more than a dozen apps from its Play Store after learning they contained malicious code which was harvesting people’s locations, phone numbers, and email addresses.These include a QR code scanner, a weather app, and Muslim prayer apps.

Some of the apps had been downloaded more than 10 million times.

“All apps on Google Play must comply with our policies, regardless of developer,” a Google spokesperson told the BBC.

“When we determine an app violates these policies, we take appropriate action.”

Google had previously warned app developers they needed to be clear with users about the information they share.
In December 2021, it said apps which fail to comply with its data policy faced being banned from the Play Store after Huq, a British firm which collects location data, admitted to the BBC at least two app partners had not sought the correct user permissions.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61023379

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