The popular ToTok video and voice calling app is a spying tool of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), that’s news to its co-creator.
Giacomo Ziani defended his work in an interview with The Associated Press and said he had no knowledge that people and companies linked to the project had ties to the country’s intelligence apparatus, despite a recent report in The New York Times.
Millions downloaded the ToTok app during the several months it was available in the Apple and Google st 1ores. Its surge in popularity was likely driven by the fact that it allowed users to make internet calls that have long been banned in the UAE, a US-allied nation where the largest city is Dubai.
The ban means Apple iPhones and computers sold in the UAE do not carry Apple’s FaceTime calling app. Calls on Skype, WhatsApp and other similar programs do not work.
Ziani, a 32-year-old native of Venice, Italy, said ToTok won rapid approval from UAE telecommunications regulators, something long sought by established competitors that remain banned.
He attributed that decision to the monopoly on the telecom market held by two companies that are majority-owned by the government. “ToTok’s small market share,” he said, “would not cut as deeply into their business as major firms if allowed access”.
In this nation of 9.4 million people where all but a sliver of the population comes from another country, ToTok represented what appeared to be the first government-blessed app that would allow them to connect freely to loved ones back home.
That drew everyone from laborers to diplomatic staffers to download it amid a publicity campaign by state-linked and government-supporting media in the Emirates.
Ziani denied that the company collected conversation data, saying the software demanded the same access to devices as other common communication apps. Emirati authorities insisted that they prohibit any kind of data breach and unlawful interception.
But this federation of seven sheikhdoms ruled by hereditary leaders already conducts mass surveillance and has been internationally criticised for targeting activists, journalists and others.
Ziani repeatedly said he knew nothing about that, nor had any knowledge that a firm invested in ToTok included staff with ties to an Emirati security firm scrutinised abroad for hiring former CIA and National Security Agency staffers.
He also said he did not know about alleged ties linking companies involved with ToTok to Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emirates’ national security adviser.
“I was not aware, and I’m even not aware now of who was who, who was doing what in the past,” Ziani said.
By installing the app, users agreed to allow access to their mobile device’s microphone, pictures, location information and other data.
“By using this app, you’re allowing your life to be opened up to the whims of national security as seen by the UAE government,” said Bill Marczak, a computer science researcher at the University of California, Berkley, who has studied ToTok and other suspected Emirati spying operations.
“In this case, you’re essentially having people install the spyware themselves as opposed to hacking into the phone.”
Royal Group did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Emirati officials, Apple and Google.
