FBI Warns About Foreign Apps and Data Privacy Risks

The FBI has issued a new alert warning Americans about potential risks to their personal data from popular mobile platforms developed overseas. This means that your information, such as name, email, or phone number, could be collected and stored abroad, even if you have not personally downloaded a foreign app.

The alert highlights that data can be accessed from someone else’s contact list if a friend or family member provides an app with access to their device. There has been ongoing scrutiny concerning TikTok’s connections to China, yet the FBI indicates that the issue extends beyond one particular app and includes various foreign-developed applications.

The FBI emphasizes the risks by stating that many widely-used apps, especially those linked to China, could access extensive data once permissions are granted, including information from address books of both app users and non-users.

Once permissions are granted, some apps may continue gathering data discreetly, with potential storage on servers in countries that permit government access. According to the FBI, developer companies can store data on users’ private information, such as names, email addresses, user IDs, physical addresses, and phone numbers, from their contact lists. Apps may keep collecting data persistently across the device, not only within the app or while it is active.

While no specific companies were mentioned, the warning can apply to many apps developed by Chinese firms, such as CapCut, Temu, SHEIN, and Lemon8. These apps are among the most downloaded in the United States. U.S. officials have frequently cautioned that data gathered by platforms with Chinese ties might be utilized to create detailed profiles of Americans, map personal and professional relationships, and possibly support intelligence activities.

U.S. officials warn that data collected by Chinese-linked platforms could support intelligence-gathering efforts, especially under China’s national security laws.

The FBI notes signs that an app might be collecting more data than expected, such as unusual battery drain, increased data usage, or unauthorized account activity. Such behaviors could indicate data collection in the background or other suspicious actions.

To protect personal information, the FBI advises users to limit data sharing, only download apps from official stores, and consistently review permissions on mobile platforms. Additionally, the bureau warns against obtaining apps from third-party websites to avoid potential malware designed for unauthorized data access.

The scrutiny over TikTok resulted in a 2026 agreement requiring its Chinese parent company to transfer U.S. operations control to an American-led group, addressing data access and national security concerns. The latest FBI warning suggests that the risks extend beyond a single app to a wider array of foreign-developed applications popular among Americans.