The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a fresh warning to Americans about the potential risks of using foreign-developed mobile applications, especially those created by Chinese companies.
In a public service announcement released through its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the FBI highlighted growing concerns around privacy and data security linked to these apps. The agency noted that many of the most popular and highest-earning apps in the United States are currently developed and operated by foreign firms, particularly those based in China.
According to the FBI, apps connected to China’s digital infrastructure may fall under the country’s strict national security laws. This could allow the Chinese government to access user data collected by these platforms.
The bureau warned that some apps may continuously collect personal data even when users believe access is limited. In many cases, apps request broad permissions by default, gathering sensitive information such as contacts, phone numbers, email addresses, user IDs, and physical addresses.
It also pointed out that some privacy policies reveal that user data is stored on servers located in China, sometimes for an unspecified duration. In certain cases, users may not be able to use the app at all unless they agree to extensive data sharing.
To reduce risks, the FBI recommends limiting unnecessary permissions, keeping devices up to date, and downloading apps only from trusted official stores. The agency also encourages the use of strong, unique passwords, preferably managed through password manager tools rather than frequent manual changes.
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The FBI has urged users who suspect their data has been compromised or notice unusual activity after installing such apps to report the issue through the IC3 platform.
