Columbia News

U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt and Elizabeth Warren have raised concerns about Chinese-owned VPN applications available on major app platforms. In a letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, the senators expressed alarm over these apps' ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and their potential threat to American privacy.

The letter highlighted: “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.”

Further emphasizing privacy issues, they noted: “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.”

Concluding their appeal, they stated: “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 personal data of Americans—especially minors—are particularly troubling. We hope to work together to root out this growing threat.”

Additional senators joining Schmitt and Warren in sending this letter include Marsha Blackburn, Pete Ricketts, Joni Ernst, Tammy Baldwin, and Mark Kelly.