We got the best Samsung deals! Galaxy S24 Ultra, Watch 6, Z Fold 5 or, Z Flip 5.

SamMobile has affiliate and sponsored partnerships. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn a commission.

Notifications
    News for you

    Apps possibly sending data to US intelligence authorities could be on your Galaxy phone

    APK
    By 

    Last updated: April 7th, 2022 at 15:06 UTC+02:00

    A number of Android apps got removed from the Google Play Store recently after researchers have discovered that the apps contained data-harvesting code obtained from a company based in Panama called Measurement Systems.

    Researchers have found that the latter collaborates with United States security agencies, and it's also using a subsidiary company called Packet Forensics LLC to engage in data-sharing with the US government.

    Researchers who have brought their findings to federal privacy officials, Google, and Wall Street Journal (via Android Police), say that Android app developers reportedly got paid by Measurement Systems in exchange for implementing their software development kit (SDK) code into their apps.

    Upon closer inspection, it turned out that apps carrying this code could gather information, including email addresses, phone numbers, data from WhatsApp image folders, and location data. The code can even gather bits of information from surrounding devices.

    The report doesn't name any apps specifically, but the ones that contained code from Measurement Systems included QR code reader apps, highway speed trap detectors, and Muslim prayer apps. The devs that injected the SDK could reportedly earn anywhere from $100 to $10,000 per month.

    Thankfully for at least some of these Android app developers, they were reportedly allowed to return to the Google Play platform and republish their apps once they've had the code from Measurement Systems removed.

    Join SamMobile’s Telegram group and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get instant news updates and in-depth reviews of Samsung devices. You can also subscribe to get updates from us on Google News and follow us on Twitter.

    APKGeneral Google Play StoreUSAWhatsApp

    You might also like

    March 2024 security update for Galaxy Z Fold 2 is live in USA

    March 2024 security update for Galaxy Z Fold 2 is live in USA

    Last week, Samsung started rolling out the March 2024 security patch to the Galaxy Z Fold 2. However, up until now, the security update was available only to the international variant of the foldable phone. Now, the Korean tech giant is extending it to the carrier-locked and carrier-unlocked variants of the smartphone, which come with […]

    • By Abid Iqbal Shaik
    • 10 hours ago
    Google Play Store makes it easier to access search

    Google Play Store makes it easier to access search

    Google is finally giving some attention to the UI on its stock apps. It is bringing a unified look and feel to its apps and ecosystem of products. An upcoming design change to the Google Play Store will make it easier to access search within the app. Google Play Store gets Search option on the […]

    • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
    • 14 hours ago
    Samsung releases March 2024 security update to Galaxy A51 5G in USA

    Samsung releases March 2024 security update to Galaxy A51 5G in USA

    We are reaching towards the end of the month, and so far, Samsung has released the March 2024 security patch to many of its smartphones and tablets, including entry-level, mid-range, and high-end devices. However, there are still plenty of devices to which the company has yet to roll out the latest security update. The Galaxy […]

    • By Abid Iqbal Shaik
    • 18 hours ago
    Galaxy Tab A7 Lite gets updated to Android 14 in USA

    Galaxy Tab A7 Lite gets updated to Android 14 in USA

    Two months ago, Samsung released the Android 14 update to the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. But back then, the update was released in South Korea. The entry-level tablet is now getting the Android 14 update in the USA. Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Android 14 update available in USA The Android 14 update (One UI 6.0) […]

    • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
    • 2 days ago
    WhatsApp will soon let you disable link previews

    WhatsApp will soon let you disable link previews

    In the current version of WhatsApp for Android, when you paste a link to a website in the text input field, the app loads its preview, showing you the title, description, and thumbnail of the webpage, and when you send that message, it shows the preview to the other person as well, instead of just […]

    • By Abid Iqbal Shaik
    • 3 days ago
    Pre-orders for Samsung’s new OLED and Neo QLED TVs are now open in USA

    Pre-orders for Samsung’s new OLED and Neo QLED TVs are now open in USA

    At CES 2024 earlier this year, Samsung unveiled its new TV and soundbar lineup. However, the company had not revealed the pricing or launch dates of its new TVs and soundbars at the time. Today, Samsung has started taking pre-orders for its new Neo QLED and OLED TVs. Its Music Frame wireless speaker is also […]

    • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
    • 3 days ago