GoKawiilThe White House has a new app, and what's hiding in the app's framework is a privacy and security nightmare.
The app, literally called "The White House," is designed to "deliver Unparalleled access to the Trump administration," according to the White House's announcement on Friday. But it may come at the cost of your personal data, online security and privacy.
The app is filled with data sharing and security concerns, including location tracking. Security researchers who looked under the hood reported finding lax protections and sketchy features. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The app is available now for both Android and iOS users, but should you download it? I did (briefly) so you don't have to. Here's what's in the app and why experts are outraged.
What's in The White House App?
The app opens with music and a brief collage video of President Donald Trump. It has pages on affordability, including the prices of things like eggs and milk (but not gas). There's an overtime calculator. And there are links to articles from Trump's favored news outlets, like Fox News and Newsmax, along with White House press releases.
The app also features livestreams and videos of press briefings, links to the White House's social feeds and photos of the president.
Why I deleted The White House app so fast
Behind all those tabs are hair-raising privacy and security issues that have the internet and experts alarmed.
One X user, @Thereallo1026, decompiled the White House app and blogged about it, reporting that the Android app tracks your location as often as every 4.5 minutes and shares a lot of information, like your location, notifications and perhaps even your phone number, with a third-party server.
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