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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Alyse Stanley

Android spyware with over 1.5 million downloads sends your data to China — delete these apps right now

A smartphone screen displaying the Android name and logo next to a sign reading 'MALWARE'.

Cybersecurity analysts uncovered two file management apps available on the Google Play Store that are actually spyware, putting the privacy and security of up to 1.5 million Android users at risk. So if you have one of the best Android phones with these apps installed, delete them right away.

The fishy apps are File Recovery & Data Recovery and File Manager, according to an alert this week from Pradeo, a leading mobile cybersecurity company. The apps, both from the same developer, are programmed to launch without any input from the user and quietly send sensitive user data to servers based in China. 

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