World Cup apps pose a Data Security and Privacy Nightmare

[upnorth]

Content source

https://www.theregister.com/2022/11/11/world_cup_security/

With mandated spyware downloads to tens of thousands of surveillance cameras equipped with facial-recognition technology, the World Cup in Qatar next month is looking more like a data security and privacy nightmare than a celebration of the beautiful game.

Football fans and others visiting Qatar must download two apps: Ehteraz, a Covid-19 tracker, and Hayya, which allows ticket holders entry into the stadiums and access to free metro and bus transportation services. Qatar's Ehteraz contact tracking scheme came under scrutiny even before its World Cup use because it allows remote access to users' pictures and videos, and can make unprompted calls. Additionally, Ehteraz requires background location services to always be on and it gives the app the ability to read and write to the file system.

"Ehteraz is able to install an encrypted file which claims to hold a unique ID, QR code, infection status, configuration parameters and proximity data of other devices using the app," Tom Lysemose Hansen, CTO and co-founder of app security firm Promon told The Register. "Essentially, it is clear that the app is taking data from the end user for more reasons than are expressed by the given consent button."

World Cup apps pose a data security and privacy nightmare

Unless you're fine with Qatar snoops remotely accessing your phone

www.theregister.com

 

[Stopspying]

There is so much that seems wrong about Qatar and the country being awarded the World Cup. Blatter, the corrupt ex-head of FIFA now says it was wrong to award the tournament to Qatar, the current head of FIFA - Infantino, more or less telling people that they should not let politics get in the way of FIFA minting vast sums of money out of the competition, they both seem like self-serving slimeballs to me. Criticism of the competition and country being called out as racist by defenders of the regime and its plans, after they have exploited other races through the appalling treatment of the workers brought in from elsewhere to build the stadiums and other infrastructure, this includes a very high death count. Governments being afraid to say too much as they are desperate for Qatari gas. Fans have been given long lists of do's and don'ts for when they are in the country i.e. long lists of locations where they cannot take photos etc etc

The data intrusions mentioned in this article are just the tip of the iceberg, welcome to the future, traveling football fans are going to star as guinea pigs in another episode of the future today. Thinking back to how there were large groups of organised Russian ex-military masquerading as 'fans' at the World Cup held in France who spent a lot of time smashing up fans from other nations, perhaps its just as well that Russia are not playing there.

 

[Freki123]

Depending on your sexual preferences it may also turn out to be a safety risk.

Qatar official says homosexuality is 'damage in the mind' before World Cup kicks off

Comments come after Sepp Blatter admitted decision to award the World Cup to Qatar was a mistake; tournament kicks off on November 20; with growing concerns over human rights record and LGBTQ+ treatment

www.skysports.com