【】
Popular messaging app ToTok has been pulled from the Google Play Store ... again. According to 9to5Google, Google removed the app as of Friday afternoon after reinstating it in January.
ToTok originally launched in July and took off rather quickly in the Unite Arab Emirates. With messaging apps like WhatsApp and Skype being blocked in the Middle Eastern country, ToTok seemed like the next best option. Eventually, it even became popular around the world.
But only a few months later it was removed from both the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. As 9to5Google notes, Play Store claimed the removal happened because ToTok violated its policies. But there wasn't any more detail than that.
When a New York Times investigation was published after the removal, it all started to make a bit more sense. The report alleged that ToTok was was gathering all types of information on its users' activity, including conversations and locations.
As with most messaging apps, ToTok asked its users to grant the app access to the phone's camera, photos, microphone, location, calendar, and contacts. This allegedly allowed both ToTok developers and the UAE's intelligence agency to use it as a full blown surveillance tool.
SEE ALSO:Messaging app ToTok is reportedly a secret UAE surveillance toolToTok (sort of) addressed concerns in a blog post by claiming its removal from both Apple and Google's app stores were due to a "technical issue," and that they were working with both companies to fix the issue.
But there was nothing mentioned in terms of, you know, spying. Instead, the post made sure to emphasize its "tens of millions of users across hundreds of countries," thousands of positive reviews, and "high-security standards."
The app was up and running again on the Google Play Store in the beginning of January. And since then, it seems things have been fairly quiet in terms of further investigations or allegations regarding the app.
So, why the sudden (and quiet) removal from the Play Store yet again? It remains unclear. We've reached out to Google for comment and will update this story if we receive a response.
相关文章
U.S. government issues warning on McDonald's recalled wearable devices
Last week's McDonald's debacle, which saw the fast food giant forced to recall its first wearable tr2024-11-21Tesla snubbed in latest driver monitoring safety ratings from Consumer Reports
Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving advanced driver assistance systems didn't pass the test.Cons2024-11-21The 21 best video games for couples to co
Sure, romantic nights out on the town for Valentine's Day are great and all. But have you tried stay2024-11-21Sleep trackers suck in many ways. Here's what works.
Not many people remember the Zeo sleep tracker these days — but I still recall how tired I was2024-11-21Michael Phelps says goodbye to the pool with Olympic gold
Michael Phelps left as he began: Winning. 。The most decorated athlete in Olympic history won gold in2024-11-217 ways to improve your privacy in 2022
Big results don't always require a big effort. Maintaining your online and offline privacy can seem2024-11-21
最新评论