Israeli Spy Apps Widely Used by Indonesian Citizens
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - A number of popular mobile applications on Android and iPhone devices have been developed by Israeli technology companies. Some are even widely popular in Indonesia.
Several apps were created by alumni of Unit 8200, the intelligence and cyber warfare division that operates under the Israeli military. Others originate from Mamram, the computing systems centre unit of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
TechTrends reports that these apps have formed a multi-billion-dollar industry.
The range of Israeli-made apps varies from photo editors and games to digital mapping services. Some are well known in Indonesia, including Waze and Moovit.
Waze is a GPS navigation app based on crowdsourcing that helps drivers avoid traffic jams and find routes in real time.
Moovit, meanwhile, is a journey planning and public transport guidance app that helps users navigate using buses and other modes in real time.
Here is a list of popular apps that are widely downloaded and linked to the Israeli military:
Waze (founded by a former engineer of Unit 8200)
Moovit (built by a former Mamram cyber unit)
Supersonic (CEO leads operations for the Israeli Army)
ZipoApps (founded by a former intelligence officer of Unit 8200)
Bazaart (created by a former IDF intelligence official)
Lightricks (one of the founders still works in Unit 8200)
Playtika (founded by a child of a former IDF Chief of Staff)
Crazy Labs (all founders still work in the IDF)
CallApp (founder previously worked three years in 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 apps are not only about their origins, but also the motives behind their creation. Israeli-made apps are accused of embedding adware, trackers, and gathering users’ personal data.
In some cases, apps such as Simple Gallery have transformed from open-source projects into highly profitable platforms after being acquired by Israeli companies.
Unknowingly, many users use apps developed by former or current Israeli intelligence officials. Some apps are even said to covertly inject surveillance tools into the mobile ecosystem.
Moreover, a number of platforms quietly amend privacy policies, triggering red flags. Some firms, including ZipoApps and Supersonic, have been criticised for aggressive data collection practices and unclear tracking.
Despite the scrutiny, download numbers continue to rise. This is underpinned by heavy advertising expenditure and collaborations with technology giants such as Google and Facebook.
How to prevent using apps made by Israeli spies
Some steps users can take to safeguard themselves against potential data misuse include:
Check the developer’s name in official stores.
Look up the developer company’s profile on LinkedIn or Crunchbase.
Use apps from developers that commit to safe and ethical data practices.