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submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by Pro@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world

The Apple and Google app stores continue to offer private browsing apps that are surreptitiously owned by Chinese companies, more than six weeks after they were identified in a Tech Transparency Project report. Apple and Google may also be profiting from these apps, which put Americans’ privacy and U.S. national security at risk, TTP found.

The apps are virtual private networks (VPNs), which promise to mask a user’s identity as they browse the internet. But Chinese-owned VPNs raise serious privacy and security concerns for Americans because Chinese companies can be forced to share user data with the Chinese government under the country’s national security laws. VPNs have access to particularly sensitive user data since they see all of a person’s web activity.

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[-] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 1 points 1 month ago

What’s China going to do with your data? Far less than your own country can.

If the choice is between China and your own country, China every day.

[-] LodeMike@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago
[-] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 points 1 month ago

You don’t think it is, but yeah it pretty much is. The only VPN company I know of who has proven in court that they don’t keep logs is PIA.

[-] LodeMike@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago

So choose PIA lol

[-] stephen01king@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 month ago

That is until they have enough data to be able to sabotage a major part of your country's infrastructure and use it as a bargaining chip to exploit your country, then it won't be less damage. Its just theoretical, but we know that's one of the reason any country collect data from another country's citizens.

Just weigh the risks every time instead of defaulting to a position of China all the time.

[-] Pirate@feddit.org 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

China hasn't revealed itself to be Cthulhu, unlike the US or Russia. So for me yes, it's China at every turn unless a local option exists.

[-] stephen01king@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago
[-] Pirate@feddit.org 4 points 1 month ago

It means I trust China more than the US.

[-] DeathsEmbrace@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

I don't see a problem here. Capitalism has already done this. At least they have competition.

[-] stephen01king@lemmy.zip -1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

My problem is his general conclusion to always prefer China. Making predetermined decision without considering the situation you're in is kinda stupid.

this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2025
52 points (85.1% liked)

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