THE FBI issued an alert warning about data security risks from foreign-developed mobile apps, noting that many top-grossing and widely downloaded apps are created by foreign companies, particularly from China. The alert does not name specific apps, but TikTok, Shein, and Temu are cited as prominent examples, with the DeepSeek AI chatbot also fitting the profile.
It warns that apps maintaining digital infrastructure in China could have data accessible to the Chinese government, and that some apps could collect personal information, store data in China, or even contain malware. The FBI’s warning describes the potential for malicious code and backdoors that could enable the download and execution of additional malicious packages to provide unauthorized access to users’ data, and it urges reporting of suspicious activity to the IC3.
The advisory comes as US authorities have previously taken action against TikTok, Temu, and DeepSeek over national security or data security concerns, and TikTok is noted as used by more than 200 million Americans.