GoKawiilThe White House mobile app has been available for both Android and iOS users for over a week now, and the Trump administration is proudly touting that the app has received 2 million downloads on the White House Instagram page. However, the app's threats to your personal data, online security and privacy concerns make it something you should think twice about downloading.
The White House announcement says the app's goal is to deliver "unparalleled access to the Trump administration." However, there are many security concerns, including location tracking and sketchy features. The White House has not responded to a request for comment.
The big question is, should you download it? I don't recommend it. Here's why.
What's in The White House App?
When I downloaded it soon after its release, the app opened 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.
Watch this: The New White House App Poses a Security Threat 00:43
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 other information, like your notifications and perhaps even your phone number, with a third-party server.
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