Question for IMDA on mobile app security & user's privacy

[K202020K]

Can someone please enlightened me?
I found that apps like Shopee & Lazada are able to read what users entered in their search bar and clipboard. Where is the data privacy committed?
Even worse, Shopee app is capable of turning on our Wi-Fi control and change our Android system settings. It updated my Shopee app when my phone was disconnected from the internet, turns off my phone's play media sound's volume to OFF/SILENT.
That is not respecting the user's personal preferences. More concerning is that the extra permissions approved by Google could pose a security threat by providing unapproved access to the user's device.
IMDA or the cyber-security authority needs to work on that before the breaches actually happened.
Edit: The Shopee app does not allow users to disable access to Wi-Fi control and Modify system settings in Android settings although those are available for Lazada app and AliExpress app. I believe Shopee's developer needs to be reined with a tight rein before the user's security and privacy are compromised.

 

[dqwong]

Please directly contact them:
https://eservice.imda.gov.sg/nors/jsp/common/feedback.jsp

 

[K202020K]

Please directly contact them:
https://eservice.imda.gov.sg/nors/jsp/common/feedback.jsp

Most likely they will come to know of my annoyance with Shopee after this post online. I'm sure someone will let them know.
But maybe they will say that's not my job, ask the Cybersecurity agency to look into it. We are too occupied with more important projects.

 

[ShinnAsuka]

imda likely priortise media content than the cybersecurity la. like no movie dubbed in dialect.

 

[K202020K]

Many people have already feedback on the app's Google play store page but they basically couldn't care less. They won't listen to the many complaints submitted.

 

[RyanJ]

ATM IMDA probably busy prioritizing how to penalize SIMBA.

 

[Emperor_Hippo]

Can someone please enlightened me?
I found that apps like Shopee & Lazada are able to read what users entered in their search bar and clipboard. Where is the data privacy committed?
Even worse, Shopee app is capable of turning on our Wi-Fi control and change our Android system settings. It updated my Shopee app when my phone was disconnected from the internet, turns off my phone's play media sound's volume to OFF/SILENT.
That is not respecting the user's personal preferences. More concerning is that the extra permissions approved by Google could pose a security threat by providing unapproved access to the user's device.
IMDA or the cyber-security authority needs to work on that before the breaches actually happened.
Edit: The Shopee app does not allow users to disable access to Wi-Fi control and Modify system settings in Android settings although those are available for Lazada app and AliExpress app. I believe Shopee's developer needs to be reined with a tight rein before the user's security and privacy are compromised.

IMDA doesn't regulate how developers write their app.

this is republic of singapore, not democratic people's republic of korea.

not happy, tell shopee or lazada. IMDA is not your personal army. and dun say "u paid tax" cos i am pretty sure i pay a lot more taxes

 

[Eliwood]

Why not just delete the app?

 

[Emperor_Hippo]

Many people have already feedback on the app's Google play store page but they basically couldn't care less. They won't listen to the many complaints submitted.

then u start ur company if u think u can do better

 

[K202020K]

imda likely priortise media content than the cybersecurity la. like no movie dubbed in dialect.

Whichever regulatory body that is responsible to look into it, all fall under the Ministry of Ms Josephine Teo except the cybersecurity arm under the Ministry of Defence.

 

[tidess]

meanwhile banks stuffing all security releated things into one device. our phone

 

[Otokiru]

TS ure using android... they open-up these settings to developers.
and some devs are too lazy to choose what permission they really require, so they just request for all.
and android users just blindly accept those permissions and you have these kind of issues.
thats why alot of scam victims are android users. switch to iphone for better privacy.

 

[K202020K]

Why not just delete the app?

Delete the app is not the right approach as the security and privacy loopholes will impact the rest of the users beside me. Why so inconsiderate and selfish by focusing on oneself and ignore the well-being of other people?

 

[808180579]

what is the point complaining about a singaporean company app invading privacy while every gen alpha still scrolling tiktok and xhs everyday

 

[Krabs.]

i remember keep on reject location request ....... it happens whenever after an update it forgot and ask me for location again

 

[dqwong]

Delete the app is not the right approach as the security and privacy loopholes will impact the rest of the users beside me. Why so inconsiderate and selfish by focusing on oneself and ignore the well-being of other people?

welcome to the dystopian future. You ARE the product, a battery like in the movie The Matrix. All these companies care about is collecting data about you so as to push advertising and marketing to you,


If you are concerned about total privacy then stop using any smartphone. Switch to a dumb brick phone like Nokia 3300 or something similar, with removable battery so that you can totally shutdown the phone when you don’t require communication.

 

[xcodes]

if doubt it, don't use it ...

I never use these kind of Apps ... in fact, I am reluctant to download Apps onto my mobile phone, given the concern of the cyber risk that may arise ...

 

[jeff79]

Ts sure is shopee app turn on wifi to auto update itself? I just checked the shopee app info on my phone, the last update time is last year dec.

Check your google play settings auto update option.

 

[Eliwood]

Delete the app is not the right approach as the security and privacy loopholes will impact the rest of the users beside me. Why so inconsiderate and selfish by focusing on oneself and ignore the well-being of other people?

Becos other than u nobody else is complaining.

This is an issue complete unique to u.

 

[kopi22]

If TS so afraid to use shopee, uninstall shopee and side load pdd lor. Pdd is very safe.