Google, Apple remove popular UAE app after reports of spying

Google and Apple removed a popular mobile application developed in United Arab Emirates claiming that app was used for state spying. Emirati ToTok is a messaging app used for chatting via video or text, t to be confused with China’s TikTok which is a video-sharing app.

According to a report by New York Times, ToTok was used as a spy tool by UAE government, following which Google and Apple decided to remove application from ir app store. report claimed that messaging platform is providing government-backed ncies access to chats, movements and or private information. It also said that app's publisher, Breej Holding Ltd, is related to an Abu Dhabi-based intelligence firm.

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Increasing popularity

ToTok said that it is “temporarily unavailable” on Apple App Store and Google Play Store and will back soon after resolving “technical issue”. Though app has been removed from  stores, Android and iOS users with an alrey-installed ToTok app will be able to use it. It can also be downloed from app stores of mobile companies such as Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo.

"While existing ToTok users continue to enjoy our service without interruption, we would like to inform our new users that we are well engd with Google and Apple to dress issue," ToTok said in a blog.

application, only a few months old, has been downloed more than five million times on Google play store alone and was one of most downloed messaging apps in US last week.

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A security firm Objective-See, in a blog post, said that y were approached by New York Times to assist with investigation into ToTok after Ameican officials familiar with classified intelligence determined that it was a spying tool. firm said that application is “really genius of whole mass surveillance operation: exploits, backdoors, malware...” Though ToTok, in its privacy policy claims to share data with ‘group companies’, it has t mentioned UAE government. 

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