The Top Apps Owned by China and Why You Need to be Careful
China is a hub of technological advancements, and the government policies for supporting native apps development have encouraged homegrown giants to boom in the industry. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring new apps, you might have come across various Chinese apps that have made it big in recent years. However, it’s crucial to understand that not all apps are created equal and that some come with specific concerns that all users must be aware of before downloading them onto their devices.
The Popular Chinese Apps That You Might Have on Your Phone
Some of the most popular Chinese apps that have gained immense popularity worldwide are:
– TikTok: A short-form video-sharing application that has witnessed an unprecedented spike in user engagement over the past year.
– WeChat: A multi-purpose instant messaging application that permits users to text, call, create chat groups, pay bills, and perform various other functions.
– PUBG: A popular gaming application that has taken the world by storm and has millions of active users globally.
– CamScanner: A document scanning and sharing application that comes handy for quick digitization and sharing of essential documents.
Although these apps have garnered tremendous success and come with unique features, they have also been linked with privacy and security issues. Some of these apps’ concerns are:
Privacy and Security Issues of Chinese Apps
While all apps are capable of storing some data to be able to function correctly and offer personalized experiences, Chinese apps are often criticized for going beyond the sanctioned limits of data collection.
– TikTok: TikTok has been at the center of debates related to national security concerns due to its data collection policies and the potential sharing of sensitive information with the Chinese government.
– WeChat: As WeChat serves as an all-in-one platform for users, it is susceptible to data breaches as it collects data from multiple sources, including messaging history, social media profiles, and payment information.
– PUBG: PUBG’s vulnerabilities have surfaced due to cheating hacks and third-party app purchases, which raise security concerns for users worldwide.
– CamScanner: CamScanner has been caught embedding malware which can extract sensitive user data from the device, which can put the user at risk of financial and personal data exposure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chinese apps have a significant user base worldwide and have been instrumental in promoting innovative technologies. However, users must prioritize their privacy and security and be mindful of the data that these apps collect and share with third-party entities. It’s advisable to verify the app’s privacy policies and conduct research before downloading any new apps or continuing to use older ones. Lastly, it’s always good practice to have an antivirus software installed on your device to safeguard sensitive personal and financial data.
