As of early 2026, many of the most downloaded and top-grossing apps in the United States are maintained by overseas firms whose infrastructure is subject to local national security laws.

According to the FBI, once permissions are granted these apps can collect names, email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses, user IDs and even details from your contact list, exposing people who have never installed the app themselves. Some apps may also store data on servers in China for as long as developers decide, and in some cases can continue gathering information in the background or via hidden malware.

Many users tap "allow" on permission prompts without thinking, effectively giving apps ongoing access to contacts, location, storage, microphone or camera. The FBI notes that some foreign-developed apps can monitor activity across the device, not just inside the app or while it is open, and may collect extensive data using default settings that very few people review.

That can turn a simple shopping or video app into a powerful data-gathering tool, enabling detailed profiling of individuals and their social networks. Officials are concerned this information could be accessed under national security rules and potentially used for surveillance or other intelligence purposes.

To cut your exposure to mobile app privacy risks, the FBI and security experts advise several simple habits.

Mobile app privacy risks will not disappear overnight, but users are not powerless. By installing fewer apps, limiting permissions and sticking to reputable stores, people can sharply reduce the amount of data that leaves their phones and make it harder for any foreign-developed app to quietly build a profile of their lives.