S’pore-Based App Muslim Pro Denies Selling User Data to US Military

The immense array of apps on the Apple store and Google Play means that every user’s need, desire, and whim can be catered to.

Whether you want to lose weight, learn a foreign language in six months, or see what your face would look like in 65 years, the app store is bound to have something for you.

And the best thing about it is that many of these apps are completely free. 

Some concerned users, however, have pointed out that in order for these apps to make money, they might resort to unethical means.

Like selling users’ personal data.

S’pore-Based App Muslim Pro Denies Selling User Data to US Military

Bitsmedia, the local developer of the Islamic app Muslim Pro, has denied allegations that it’s selling the personal information of its users to the United States military.

This was in response to a Vice report published on Monday (16 Nov), in which it claimed the US military is buying private data from apps around the world, including Muslim Pro.

For the unacquainted, Muslim Pro is an app that reminds users when to pray and determines what direction Mecca is, in relation to the user’s location. The app has been downloaded over 50 million times on Android.

The report claims that Muslim Pro, and a multitude of other apps across the world, sends data to a company called X-Mode, which then sells that data to contractors, and by extension, the military.

This data included location and Wi-Fi information, as well as a timestamp and data about the user’s phone.

Muslim Pro’s head of community, Miss Zahariah Jupary, has denied the allegation.

“This is incorrect and untrue. The protection and respect of the privacy of our users is Muslim Pro’s utmost priority,” she told The Straits Times.

“As one of the most trusted Muslim apps over the last 10 years, we adhere to the most stringent privacy standards and data protection regulations, and never share any personal identifiable information.”

Muslim Pro, however, had worked with X-Mode, though Zahariah did not disclose details of their working relationship.

According to ST, the app has since terminated its relationship with X-Mode and other “data partners”.

In addition, Bitsmedia opened an internal investigation and is reviewing its data governance policy to ascertain if any user’s data was misused.

Muis’ Response

Speaking to ST, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said it does not supervise such apps, nor does it provide any support for them.

“We encourage the Muslim community to exercise care when using such apps,” a Muis spokesman said.

He also urged Muslims to be cautious about the personal information they reveal in these apps and the content provided.

Users should also be aware of the specific terms and conditions that come with using these apps.

If you’re wary of using Muslim Pro or other similar apps, you can try Muslim SG, Muis’ own supported app.

It provides information for local Muslims like prayer times, halal-certified eateries, and mosque locations.

Featured Image: Screenshot from Google Play Store