Google removes apps that reportedly harvested users’ data — here are the offenders

Researchers Joel Reardon (University of Calgary) and Serge Egelman (UC Berkeley) discovered the malicious code in dozens of apps harvesting users’ precise location, phone numbers, and email accounts. Measurement Systems is the company responsible for the code and is linked to defense contractors that provide cyber-intelligence to US national security agencies. Google has removed several apps used by over 50 million users from the Play Store after learning that the applications in question were harvesting personal information. The other fear researchers have is that even though the apps with the information harvesting code have been pulled from Google Play, millions of users may still be using them. The Wall Street Journal first broke the story and received an emailed response stating: ‘the allegations you make about the company’s activities are false’ . . .