Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have addressed concerns to Apple CEO Tim Cooke and Google CEO Sundar Pichai regarding the availability of free Chinese-owned VPN applications on their respective app stores. The senators allege that these applications, which are accessible on the App Store and Google Play Store, have connections to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and could enable the Chinese government to access private information belonging to millions of Americans, including minors.

In their letter, the senators wrote: “We write to express our concern over reports that Apple and Google continue to permit free downloadable VPN applications on the App Store and Google Play Store that are owned and operated by Chinese military companies. Alarmingly, some of the apps are linked to a company called Qihoo 360, which was added to the Department of Commerce’s Entity’s List in 2020 for its ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).  Despite these glaring red flags and the publication of reports highlighting the issue more than over a month ago, Apple and Google continue to undermine national security by allowing apps that give Chinese government access to private information of millions of Americans.”

The letter also questioned both companies’ commitments to user privacy: “Beyond the national security implications, the continued presence of these apps raises serious questions about Apple and Google’s carefully cultivated reputations for protecting users’ privacy. Your company has repeatedly claimed it maintains strict control over its app store, to protect users’ privacy and security.  Yet lapses like the ones identified in this letter demonstrate that your company is failing users and the broader public. We are aware that Apple has previously removed apps to censor the App Store at the behest of the Chinese government.”

The senators concluded: “We trust you will agree that leaving our country vulnerable to cyber infiltration is not in our collective interest. The People’s Republic of China continues to undermine U.S. cybersecurity by supporting entities that have, or are actively attempting to, damage the integrity of our critical infrastructure. Attempts to access the personal data of Americans—especially minors—are particularly troubling. We hope to work together to root out this growing threat.”

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Schmitt and Warren in signing this letter.