Two Android applications owned by Chinese tech giant Baidu have recently been removed from the Google Play Store following a scandal where they were found to be collecting sensitive data from their users.
Two of Baidu’s apps, Baidu Maps and Baidu Search Box, were removed from Google’s app store after they received a report from Palo Alto Networks, a US cybersecurity firm. Both of Baidu’s apps had over 6 million downloads combined before they were removed.
According to Palo Alto Networks, the apps contained code that allowed Baidu to collect information about user’s phone models, carrier information, MAC addresses, and International Mobile Subscriber Identity numbers.
