Google Suspends Chinese Shopping App Amid Security Concerns

New Delhi: Google has suspended the Chinese shopping app Pinduoduo on its app store after malware was discovered in versions of the app from other sources. Google said in a statement Tuesday that it suspended the Pinduoduo app on the Google Play app store out of security concerns and that it was investigating the matter.

The suspension of the Pinduoduo app mainly used in China comes amid heightened US-China tensions over Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok, which some US lawmakers say could be a national security threat. They allege that such apps could be used to spy on American users. (Also Read: IT Layoffs 2023: Sacking Spree Deepens Tech Gloom As 503 Firms Fire 1.5 Lakh Employees Till Date)

Pinduoduo is a popular e-commerce app in China that often offers discounts if users team up to buy multiple an item. Google warned users Tuesday to uninstall any Pinduoduo app not downloaded from its own Play store. (Also Read: Unlike Global Economy, India Would Not Slow Down: RBI Article)

Google Play Protect enforcement has been set to block installation attempts of these identified malicious apps, Google said in its statement. Users that have malicious versions of the app downloaded to their devices are warned and prompted to uninstall the app.

It was unclear if there are similar security concerns around the Pinduoduo app for Apple users, and Pinduoduo was still available to download from Apple's iOS store Tuesday. PDD Holdings Inc, which operates Pinduoduo, did not immediately comment.