Google has recently removed several apps from the Google Play Store after the company discovered that the apps contain data harvesting software, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. These apps range from speed camera radar to barcode scanners to Muslim-focused applications.
11 apps found to contain data harvesting software
11 apps were revealed to contain the data harvesting software by researchers Joel Reardon and Serge Egelman from the University of Calgary which is said to affect a monumental 60 million Android users at the very least.
The data collecting software has been included by the developers after being paid to do so by a company called Measurement Systems S. de R.L.
The applications were deleted from the Play Store on 25th March after an investigation by Google however some of these apps have made their way back to the store. This is due to the fact that developers can request that their applications be put back in if they remove the malicious software.
Below is the list of the affected applications:
- Speed Camera Radar
- Al-Moazin Lite (Prayer Times)
- Wi-Fi Mouse (remote control PC)
- QR & Barcode Scanner (developed by AppSource Hub)
- Qibla Compass – Ramadan 2022
- Simple weather & clock widget (developed by Difer)
- Handcent Next SMS-Text with MMS
- Smart Kit 360
- Al Quran MP3 – 50 Reciters & Translation Audio
- Full Quran MP3 – 50+ Languages & Translation Audio
- Audiosdroid Audio Studio DAW
As you can probably tell especially with the potential amount of users affected, some of these applications are quite popular. The Muslim-focused applications might see a surge in downloads seeing that Muslims are currently observing the holy month of Ramadhan.
If you know anyone that has unknowingly downloaded any of the applications above, do let them know or help them remove the applications above altogether.
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