Watchdog Raises Concerns Over VPNs With Hidden Ties to China

Contact Your Elected Officials

The VPNs are available to download on Apple and Google app stores, the Technology Transparency Project found.

Apple and Google app stores are still offering Americans virtual private networks, or VPNs, with undisclosed ties to Chinese companies, despite โ€œserious privacy and security concernsโ€ that user data could be shared with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a tech watchdog group said on June 12.

VPNs encrypt data, allowing individuals to surf the web anonymously.

An April report by the Technology Transparency Project (TTP) found that more than 20 of the top 100 free VPNs in the U.S. Apple App Store in 2024 showed evidence of Chinese ownership that was not disclosed to users.

None of the apps disclosed their alleged Chinese ties, and some โ€œobscured their origins behind layers of shell companies,โ€ TTP said.

Several of the apps were also linked to Chinese cybersecurity firm Qihoo 360, which has been sanctioned by the United States over its ties to the CCPโ€™s Peopleโ€™s Liberation Army, TTP found.

While some of those apps have since been pulled from the Apple App Store, 13 others identified by TTP remain available more than six weeks after they were first identified.

The Google Play Store still offers 11 apps that have ties to Chinese companies, TTP said.

TTP is a research initiative of Campaign for Accountability, a nonprofit ethics watchdog group headquartered in Washington.

According to its official website, the project seeks to hold large technology companies accountable and โ€œshed light on the power and influence of the major tech platforms and their failures to protect users.โ€

โ€œAfter being informed of this issue once already, Apple and Google continue to make many of these VPN apps available to Americans without warning them of the security risks,โ€ Campaign for Accountability Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith said in a statement.

โ€œItโ€™s now fair to question whether the large profits Apple and Google make from their app stores have anything to do with this inaction.โ€

Appleโ€™s guidelines explicitly state that apps offering VPN services in its app store โ€œmay not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose, and must commit to this in their privacy policy.โ€

By Katabella Roberts

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

ChatGPT Goes Biblical about End Times!

There are some truly outstanding internet content creators, or...

Epsteinโ€™s Niece Exposes the Illuminati!

There is a shocking interview by the podcaster Shaun Attwood, an English former ecstasy trafficker turned YouTube podcaster, speaker, activist, and author.

When Gynocrats Attack: Innocent Locker Room Talk Interrupted By Rabid Karen

The question posed: โ€œWho do you think has a...

Obamaโ€™s Treason is a Betrayal of American Democracy and Demands Real Accountability

Few scandals have cast a longer shadow than the 2016 Russia investigationโ€”the manufactured crisis by President Obama designed to cripple Trump's presidency.

Chronic Grievous Insufficiency

A president's physical vigor, stamina, and mental acuity are essential to his ability to fulfill the duties of office and those qualities should matter with no regard to party affiliation.

US Witnessing โ€˜CapEx Comebackโ€™ as Investment Wave Hits Economy: Treasury

The U.S. economy is experiencing a โ€œCapEx Comebackโ€ this year as private-sector investment soars, the Treasury Department said.

What to Know About New ‘Visa Integrity Fee’

New refundable โ€œVisa Integrity Feeโ€ for foreign nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.

Oregon High School Athletes File First Amendment Lawsuit Over Podium Protest

AFPI filed lawsuit for Oregon high school athletes, alleging OSAA violated their First Amendment rights by punishing their peaceful protest of boy competing in girlsโ€™ event.

Professional Wrestling Legend, Hulk Hogan, Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, former WWE superstar and one of the most recognizable figures in the sports entertainment industry, has died at 71 years old.

Odds of U.S.-EU Trade Deal Are 50โ€“50 Ahead of Tariff Deadline: Trump

President Donald Trump said thereโ€™s a 50โ€“50 chance that the United States will finalize a trade deal with the European Union before an Aug. 1 deadline.

Trump Pulls Habbaโ€™s Nomination for New Jerseyโ€™s Top Prosecutor, Making Her Acting US Attorney

President Trump withdrew his nomination of Alina Habba to serve as NJโ€™s top federal prosecutor, making her Acting US Attorney.

Trump Says He Wants Muskโ€™s Companies to โ€˜Thrive Like Never Beforeโ€™

On Thursday, President Trump said, โ€œI want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!โ€

DOJ Forms Strike Force to Assess DNI Findings on Russia Collusion Allegations

DOJ is forming task force following the declassification of docs that shed light on origins of false claims that Trump won 2016 election with Russiaโ€™s help.
spot_img

Related Articles