FBI warning on foreign mobile apps and data security risks

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning about potential risks associated with using foreign-developed mobile apps, particularly those from China. According to the agency, by early 2026, a significant portion of popular apps on the American market will be owned by overseas companies.

The FBI's primary concern centers on the infrastructure of these services, which may be hosted on servers in China and subject to local national security laws. In theory, this could allow government entities to access user data. The agency also claims that some apps can continue collecting information even after being closed, operating in the background.

The bureau specifically highlighted features related to inviting friends. Through these functions, apps can gain access to a user's contacts—phone numbers and email addresses. This data could potentially affect individuals who haven't even installed such apps themselves. Additionally, the presence of hidden malicious components in certain programs cannot be ruled out.

However, the FBI isn't imposing bans on foreign app usage, instead offering digital security recommendations. Users are advised to install programs only from official sources, pay close attention to permissions, regularly update their systems, and use strong passwords.

Experts note that these concerns aren't unique to the United States. Risks related to data collection and processing can arise when using any digital services. Yet the rapid growth in popularity of Chinese platforms has intensified governmental attention on this issue.