"Euro Authorities Warn World Cup Fans Over Qatari Apps"

European privacy experts warn FIFA World Cup attendees that their personal data may be at risk if they download two local tracking apps.  The two apps in question are contract-tracing software Ehteraz, which football fans may be asked to download if they are forced to visit healthcare facilities during their stay in Qatar, and the official World Cup app Hayya.  Hayya functions as a fan ID app that may be needed to gain entry into stadiums.  However, concerns have been raised that it also tracks device location and network connections, even preventing devices from going into sleep mode.  With 1.5 million fans expected to travel to the tiny Gulf state, several European governments have issued advice to mitigate privacy and security concerns.  German data protection agency, BfDI, said that “the data processing of both apps probably goes much further” than their descriptions in the app store indicate.  Among other things, one of the apps collects data on whether and with which number a telephone call is made.  This sometimes involves sensitive telecommunications connection data.  Neil Jones, director of cybersecurity evangelism at Egnyte, argued that the data collected by the apps could also be a treasure trove for would-be cyber-criminals.  Jones stated that if you plan to travel to the event, he strongly recommends the purchase of a burner phone if the privacy-limiting capabilities cannot be disabled.  

Infosecurity reports: "Euro Authorities Warn World Cup Fans Over Qatari Apps"