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Google has recently flagged down some apps developed by a leading Chinese E-Commerce Company for containing malware which caused mass concerns and kept some people unable to sleep at night.
Pinduoduo is a well-known e-commerce platform that creates many apps for its customers. Some of these apps were flagged by Google, including a popular shopping app, a food delivery app, and a ride-hailing app.
Google has taken steps to proactively detect these apps before infecting the smartphone users as it has evolved into a worldwide concern on how most Chinese apps contain backdoors and malware which causes deep mistrust.
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Who Is the Leading Chinese E-Commerce Company?
Pinduoduo is the leading Chinese e-commerce company that has been identified by Google as infected by malware in its apps. The company was founded in 2015 by Colin Huang, and it has quickly become one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in China. Pinduoduo operates a group-buying model that enables consumers to buy products at discounted prices if they purchase them in groups.
Its focus is on agricultural products like fruits and vegetables, but it has also expanded into other categories such as electronics and household goods over time. Pinduoduo has over 800 million active buyers and is valued at over 150 billion US dollars, making it one of the most successful e-commerce companies in the world today.
How Does Google Identify Malware in Apps?
Google has put in place a variety of security features in Google Play, such as automated scanning tools that check apps for any suspicious activity or behavior inside the clockwork of the apps and when an app is flagged as suspicious.
Google’s security team reviews it to determine if it poses a threat to the stability and integrity of smartphones users, as it would bring a wide range of problems for smartphone users, including data theft, identity theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information which would jeopardize the integrity of the users.
The company’s food delivery app was found to contain malware that could potentially compromise users’ personal information and security. The app can no longer be found in Google Play as it was immediately removed by Google to avoid further discrepancies. Users who have it on their phones are advised to get rid of the app as soon as practicable to avoid further lapses and compromises.
How Can You Protect Your Phone from Malware in Apps?
Security experts advised users to only download apps sources with credibility such as Google Play Store or the Apple App Store alike. Avoiding apps from third-party app stores also helps to prevent from unknowingly incorporating to your smartphones all kinds of malware, as these are often unregulated and can contain malicious software that will put your privacy in peril.
They added that keeping your smartphone’s OS and the apps itself updated with the latest versions can also help, as they contain patches that provide your smartphones better security and integrity.
Reaction to the Malware Found in Apps
After Google identified and flagged those Apps developed by the Chinese E-Commerce Company, it has raised concerns and outrage among smartphone users and cybersecurity experts alike as this was never mentioned before.
Google’s ever-evolving efforts to identify and remove these apps are commendable at best, but some experts argue that more needs to be done to protect users from the potential threats posed by these apps as more and more of these are getting trickier to detect by the minute.
Canadian smartphone users alike are affected by these controversies, as many of the apps developed by the Chinese E-Commerce Company are popular in Canada. Canadians are advised to be extra cautious when downloading apps and to take steps to protect their devices from malware. This string of controversies put a deep sense of distrust to Apps made by most Chinese E-Commerce companies especially among Canadians.
Risk it or Leave it?
Google’s identification of malware in apps developed by a leading Chinese E-Commerce Company highlights the importance of maintaining strong security measures on smartphones.
Experts agree that it is not rocket science that Google’s initiatives against these are vital and effective, but more needs to be done to protect users from the potential threats posed by these apps.
They stressed that smartphone users should be vigilant and protect their own devices from malware to help ensure the safety and security of their personal information and sensitive data.
