|
© |
Dutch consumers and companies should consider whether they still want to install and use apps from countries such as China and Russia. This was said by the Minister of Economic Affairs, Dirk Bellaerts, in front of Parliament today, reporting on the New website.
Belaerts was asked about the extent to which Chinese online store Temu collects user data. Among other things, the application needs access to the camera, contacts and Wi-Fi network. There are already posts on Dutch sites that the online store also wants rights to unlock the phone at night and record audio.
The minister advised the Dutch to “think carefully” before installing apps from countries with a program of cyber attacks against the Netherlands. Among them are China, Russia and Iran.
Minister Bellaerts is concerned not only about this data collection, but also that online platforms from countries outside the EU regularly sell products that do not meet European requirements. They can be a fire hazard, a malfunction, or a health hazard.
There will be no restrictions on the apps, so for now only the minister’s advice remains. “We are involved in checking whether the platforms comply with the rules. And if not, what should be done,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy. “Between the lines in the advice, you can read that until then it’s not a good idea to install and use the apps,” explained the spokesperson.
In early November, European regulators, including the Dutch Consumer and Market Authority, instructed Temu to change its practices to comply with European regulations. If this is not done within a month, the online store can expect heavy fines, New recalls.
From March 2023 national government employees are no longer allowed to install apps from countries like Russia and China on their work phones. This was decided on the basis of advice from the Security and Intelligence Service, which warned of an increased risk of espionage.
2024-11-20 09:27:00
#carefully #installing #app
To be aware of the potential privacy implications of using such apps and to consider whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
Guest 1: Good day, I’m Alex, and thank you for having me here. I’m a cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience in evaluating the risks of installing apps from foreign countries.
Guest 2: Hi there, I’m Yolanda, and I work as a digital privacy advocate. It’s my pleasure to be here today to discuss the concerns raised in the article.
Interviewer: Thank you both for joining me today. To get started, Minister Bellaerts has warned Dutch consumers and businesses about the potential dangers of using apps from certain countries like China and Russia. Do you think this advice is necessary or overly alarmist?
Guest 1: Alex: I think the Minister’s advice is necessary, but it should have been given a long time ago. The threat of cyber espionage and data theft from apps developed in countries like China and Russia is well-documented. It’s not just about the apps collecting data; it’s also about the risk of backdoors or malicious code being embedded in them. Even apps that seem harmless on the surface could be used to compromise your device or steal sensitive information.
Guest 2: Yolanda: While I understand where the Minister is coming from, I worry that this warning could lead to an overreaction or fearmongering. Not all apps from these countries pose a threat, and many reputable companies abide by data protection standards. It would be unfair to label them all as potential risks without solid evidence of wrongdoing. Additionally, Dutch citizens should have the freedom to choose which apps they want to use without government intervention.
Interviewer: So there might be a balance between data privacy and user autonomy here. Moving on to the specific issue of Temu, an online store that has come under scrutiny for its data collection practices. What are your thoughts on this app?
Guest 1: Alex: Temu is a prime example of why we should be cautious about apps from certain countries. The fact that it collects so much data, including access to the camera and Wi-Fi networks, is concerning. Moreover, the suggestion that it wants to record audio and unlock phones at night raises red flags. It’s essential for users
