FBI Warns Against Chinese Apps Due to Security Risks

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a Public Service Announcement warning users of the data security risks associated with mobile applications developed by foreign companies, with a specific emphasis on those based in China.

According to the FBI, many of the most downloaded and top-grossing applications in the United States as of early 2026 are developed and maintained by foreign entities. The agency highlights that apps utilizing digital infrastructure in China are subject to the country’s extensive national security laws, which could potentially allow the Chinese government to access user data.

Data Collection and Privacy Risks

The FBI alert warns that users should be cautious about the specific data permissions these applications request during installation. Once a user grants access, an app can persistently collect private information from across the device, extending beyond the app’s own interface or active state.

A significant concern involves features that allow users to invite friends or contacts. Under default permissions, developers can store sensitive information from a user’s address book, including:

• Names
• E-mail addresses
• User IDs
• Physical addresses
• Phone numbers of stored contacts

The FBI notes that this level of access allows apps to collect personal information from both the primary user and non-users listed in their contact lists.

Storage and Data Transfer

The agency points to the privacy policies of these applications to identify where collected data and system prompts are stored. Some apps explicitly state that data is kept on servers located in China for durations determined by the developers.

The FBI observes that some platforms require users to consent to data sharing as a prerequisite for operating the platform. However, some applications provide an option to run the app locally by downloading a version directly to the device. This local operation allows users to perform queries without accessing a cloud-based version, which may prevent the transfer of data to China or other third countries.

Scope of the Warning

While the warning focuses heavily on Chinese-developed apps, the FBI states that these data security concerns are global in nature. The alert is directed at users of both iPhone and Android devices.

Despite the broad warning, the FBI has not released a specific list of prohibited Chinese apps or apps from other high-risk locations. Reports indicate that such a list would be too vast and fluid to maintain.

The alert serves as a directive for users to scrutinize the permissions they grant to foreign-developed software and to review the storage locations mentioned in privacy policies to mitigate the risk of unauthorized data access by foreign governments.