Due to a breach of Pakistani individuals’ personal information, Google has removed 14 applications from its app store at the request of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
NADRA formally contacted the Alphabet-owned American IT firm about this issue.
The authorities reportedly brought the subject to the notice of Stephanie Davis, the vice president for customer solutions at the company, Scott Beaumont, the president of Google for Asia Pacific, and Hiang Choong, the legal head for the region.
NADRA Letter to Google regarding Fake Data Stealing Apps
In a letter to Google with the subject line “Breach of Personal Data of Residents and their Privacy by Application Providers on Google Play Store,” the problem was described as “serious and urgent.”
It was written, “The issue involving the personal data of residents of Pakistan, which is being illegally sold and/or shared by various applications (apps) hosted on your platform and available on Google Play Store.”
As a result, the apps’ services received unjustified credence. They were collecting personal information from Pakistani citizens in violation of Google’s impersonation policy, which forbids users from using false identities.
Furthermore, the letter added, “All such apps be immediately taken down from Google Play Store and to curb such illegal activities of sharing and selling NADRA’s proprietary, sensitive information, which could have serious security implications for Pakistan, as well breaching the privacy of residents, publishing, promoting of such apps using NADRA’s name or log should not be allowed in future.”
To read our blog on “Google Play Store draws out the Pakistani online loan scam app,” click here.
