America First, an official app released by the Trump campaign, was released five days ago. The app has between 10,000 and 50,000 installs on Google Play with a 4.7-star rating. The app allows users to donate to the Trump campaign and show support for the candidate. Users that donate will be promoted on the app and gain points.
Users can also gain points for watching an ad or attending a Trump rally.
The app was a surprise move by the Republican presidential candidate. Trump had delayed the app’s creation and stated that he didn’t need a data infrastructure to win the race.
But Trump’s app has come under fire by security and privacy experts. The app requests access to users’ address books, and the app’s creator, Thomas Peters, stated that the address book is only used as a way for users to share the app with their friends, according to NBC News.
America First’s privacy policy, which users accept when using the app, allows the app to use the data collected however they like. The app will be able to access names, addresses, email addresses and any other data collected in a user’s address book.
The app’s privacy policy states: “We may periodically access your contact list and/or address book on your mobile device. You hereby give your express consent to access your contact list and/or address book.”
The app was created by uCampaign, the same company that created a similar app for Ted Cruz. Both apps are very similar, and both have raised questions over privacy concerns.
The collection of data via an app is common practice, according to experts. Legally, Trump’s campaign is allowed to collect data as users agree to the collection practices when using the app.
Trump’s campaign and lawyers have not commented on the matter.
The privacy policy further states: “We may access, collect, and store personal information about other people that is available to us through your contact list and/or address book.”
