ToTok is a spy. That's what U.S. intelligence experts say about the Emirati messaging app that has been downloaded to millions of phones in the US, and around the world. Google and Apple have now removed the app from their stores.

New: A massively popular app that has been downloaded millions of times is actually an Emirati spy tool @MarkMazzettiNYT and I confirmed. https://t.co/AO3rkENYmh — Nicole Perlroth (@nicoleperlroth) December 22, 2019

ToTok, a messaging app that as of last week was one of the most popular in the Apple and Google stores, is billed as a secure way to chat by video/text message with friends/family But it turns out that it's actually a spying tool for Emirati intelligencehttps://t.co/z6cUmatgm7 — Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) December 22, 2019

Piece says the app has been downloaded millions of times, but considering this was an intel operation wonder how many of those downloads were from real users and how many were to boost app ratings/perception of legitimacy. — Joseph Cox (@josephfcox) December 22, 2019

If you're one of the hundreds of thousands of people who downloaded ToTok, delete the app immediately. It's likely a surveillance tool that can funnel data to the government of the United Arab Emirates https://t.co/L1eaNvzGVH — WIRED (@WIRED) December 23, 2019

Still managed to jump the fence into Apple's walled garden… https://t.co/re4GOBu7Qn — Callum Jones (@callumj) December 23, 2019

I've been thinking for awhile that we will likely come to see this time in history as a world war. We're in a cyberpunk timeline now https://t.co/fc255H0t1l — Brooke Binkowski (@brooklynmarie) December 22, 2019

Incredible long con by the UAE. First they outlawed and blocked WhatsApp, Skype, and other VoIP/chat apps. Then they launch their own app, that of course EVERYONE instala because there's no alternative. This is the future of surveillance. https://t.co/0GRFeQQlO5 — Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai (@lorenzofb) December 23, 2019

In retrospect…took nation/states a long enough time to get into this business. We really do need some form of new clearance house for this stuff. And you can't trust the national regulators. https://t.co/WO2ZXqLmFh — Keep It Surly (@surlyurbanist) December 22, 2019

I feel like it's time for verified apps. https://t.co/MSPZVRrSJD — Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) December 23, 2019

1. "ToTok" lol

2. The Emirati government is trying to track every conversation, movement, relationship, appointment, sound and image of those who've got the app on their phone

3. The likely firm behind it employs former Israeli military spies and NSA spies https://t.co/VKeVeQuPXl pic.twitter.com/8729wJ8mE1 — Jennine (@jennineak) December 22, 2019

If the UAE is such a stable/moderate/liberal/tolerant (bla, bla, bla) political system — that US officials frequently cite as a model for the Arab world — why does have to go to such extreme lengths to monitor its own citizens? https://t.co/Q2Xn3g1pZB @sarahleah1 @JamalsNews — Nader Hashemi (@naderalihashemi) December 23, 2019

We regret to inform you the duck is a CIA operative https://t.co/jnNMTiEgnF — tinybaby (@tinybaby) December 22, 2019

Incredible long con by the UAE. First they outlawed and blocked WhatsApp, Skype, and other VoIP/chat apps. Then they launch their own app, that of course EVERYONE instala because there's no alternative. This is the future of surveillance. https://t.co/0GRFeQQlO5 — Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai (@lorenzofb) December 23, 2019

[ via techmeme.com]