(MENAFN) Google has suspended the Chinese shopping app Pinduoduo from its Play Store after discovering malware in some versions of the retail platform from other sources. In a statement released on Tuesday, Google said that it suspended Pinduoduo from its Play Store out of "security concerns" and that it was currently investigating the matter. Pinduoduo is primarily used in China and is a popular online shopping platform that offers a wide range of products at discounted prices.
The suspension of Pinduoduo comes at a time when U.S.-China tensions are at an all-time high over concerns regarding national security threats posed by Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok. Some U.S. lawmakers have alleged that these apps could be used to spy on American users, and there have been calls to ban them altogether. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is currently facing pressure from U.S. authorities, who are reviewing its transactions for potential national security risks.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews transactions that could affect national security, has also been scrutinizing ByteDance and could potentially force the company to sell TikTok to another company. The RESTRICT Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate this month, allows the U.S. Commerce Secretary to ban foreign technology companies and encourages the intelligence service to declassify information on potential risks.
The suspension of Pinduoduo by Google highlights the growing concerns over the security risks posed by Chinese-owned apps and technology companies. Google's decision to suspend Pinduoduo also underscores the company's commitment to ensuring the security and privacy of its users. While Pinduoduo is primarily used in China, its suspension by Google could have wider implications for other Chinese-owned apps and technology companies seeking to expand their reach into the global market.
The suspension of Pinduoduo by Google is likely to be seen as a warning to other Chinese-owned apps and technology companies that they will need to adhere to strict security protocols and standards if they wish to operate on global platforms. It also highlights the need for greater cooperation between governments and technology companies to ensure the security and privacy of users around the world. As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to escalate, it is likely that we will see more actions taken by governments and companies to address the security risks posed by Chinese-owned apps and technology companies.
MENAFN22032023000045014228ID1105834447
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.