Google’s Playstore and Apple’s AppStore have taken down the To Tok Messenger social messaging app after reports from the New York Times (NYT) revealed indications that the messaging app is being used as a spy tool by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to the NYT, the To Tok app publisher, Breej Holding Ltd, is directly affiliated with DarkMatter. Meanwhile, the DarkMatter Group is an Abu Dhabi-based intelligence and hacking entity currently under FBI investigation for alleged cyber crimes.
Claiming that much of their information comes from American officials, NYT also reported that DarkMatter Group’s workforce comprises mostly UAE intelligence officials, former employees of the U.S. National Security Agency, and former operatives of the Israeli Military Intelligence.
During the course of the NYT’s investigation of the To Tok messaging app, they also found that China’s leading telecommunications company, Huawei, carries an endorsement of the To Tok app in its app gallery. Huawei has been blacklisted in the U.S. for allegations of spying activities.
Google and Apple Report that Millions are Already Using the To Tok Messaging App
Both Google and Apple reported that To Tok became the most downloaded messaging app, despite being only a few months old. Google Playstore reported that the app has been downloaded and installed by around 5 million users of Android-supported devices from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Apple’s App Annie reported that the To Tok messaging app, which is somewhat similar to WhatsApp and TikTok, easily became the most downloaded app in recent weeks.
Google says those who have already installed the app on their mobile device can still use it to send social messages. However, in light of recent reports that the app is under investigation for being a spy tool used to track every message, photo image, geolocation movement, appointment, relationship, and music preference of users for the UAE government, Google decided to remove the To Tok app from its PlayStore.