11 Popular Indonesian Apps Revealed to be Israeli Intelligence Software: Check Your Phone
Jakarta — Israel’s technology industry and talent have developed rapidly, with many applications commonly used daily on mobile phones actually developed by Israeli companies. Some applications were created by Israeli intelligence operatives, and users should be aware of information about applications they access daily to understand potential risks in the future.
Several applications made by Israeli intelligence agents are quite popular in Indonesia. Some of these applications were created by alumni of Unit 8200, an intelligence and cyber warfare division operating under Israeli military control. Others originate from Mamram, the central computing systems unit of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). According to TechTrends reporting, these applications have shaped an industry worth billions of US dollars.
The categories of Israeli-made applications are diverse, ranging from photo editors, games, to digital mapping services. Two of the most widely known in Indonesia are Waze and Moovit.
Waze is a GPS navigation application based on crowdsourcing that helps drivers avoid congestion and find optimal routes in real-time. Moovit is a travel planning and public transportation guide application that helps users navigate using buses and other modes of transport in real-time.
The following is a list of popular applications widely downloaded and linked to Israeli military interests:
Waze (founded by a former Unit 8200 engineer)
Moovit (built by a former Mamram cyber unit member)
Supersonic (CEO oversees operations for the Israeli Defence Force)
ZipoApps (founded by a former Unit 8200 intelligence agent)
Bazaart (created by a former IDF intelligence official)
Lightricks (one of the founders still works at Unit 8200)
Playtika (founded by the son of a former IDF chief of staff)
Crazy Labs (all founders still work for the IDF)
CallApp (founder worked for three years at Unit 8200)
Gett (created by a former Unit 8200 official)
Fooducate (founded by a former Israeli Air Force pilot)
Data Collection Practices
Concerns about these applications extend beyond their origins to the motivations behind their creation. Israeli-developed applications have been accused of embedding adware, trackers, and collecting user personal data. In some cases, applications like Simple Gallery transformed from an open-source project into a highly profitable platform after being acquired by an Israeli company.
Without realising it, many users employ applications developed by former or current Israeli intelligence personnel. Some applications are said to have inserted surveillance tools into mobile ecosystems. Furthermore, several platforms have quietly altered privacy policies, raising red flags. Several companies, including ZipoApps and Supersonic, have been criticised for aggressive data collection practices and unclear tracking.
Despite the scrutiny, download numbers continue to surge, bolstered by massive advertising spending and partnerships with technology giants like Google and Facebook.
Preventing Use of Mobile Applications Made by Israeli Intelligence
Several steps users can take to stay safe from potential data misuse by applications include:
Check the application developer’s name in official app stores.
Search for the developer company’s profile on LinkedIn or Crunchbase.
Use applications from developers committed to safe and ethical data practices.
That is the list of popular applications made by Israeli intelligence that are also widely used in Indonesia. Hopefully this information helps!