Totok, a messaging application created by a company based in the United Arab Emirates, became available again on the Google Play Store on January 4, 2020. The app had been removed from both Google and Apple’s platforms in December 2019 following accusations that it functioned as a surveillance instrument for the UAE government.
The reinstatement occurs after the app’s publisher and the UAE’s telecommunications authority both rejected the allegations. Google and Apple had pulled Totok from their stores in December 2019. That removal followed a New York Times report asserting that Totok was not merely a communication tool but a means for the UAE government to gather personal data, location details, and private conversations from users.
The New York Times report claimed that Breej Holding Ltd, Totok’s publisher, had ties to DarkMatter, an intelligence and hacking company located in Abu Dhabi. The report also stated that the app’s download numbers were artificially boosted through fake reviews.
Prior to its removal, Totok had been downloaded approximately five million times from the Google Play Store alone. The app provided free calling and text messaging across multiple countries. It allegedly deceived users into granting access to their device location, private data, and photos.
UAE Regulator Denies Charges
The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority rejected the spying accusations. In a statement, the TRA said it “strictly prohibit any kind of data breach and unlawful interception.” The regulator did not offer specific evidence to counter the New York Times report but asserted that national laws protect user privacy. “The UAE has strict laws and regulations to protect the privacy of individuals and to ensure the security of data,” the TRA stated.
“Any claims of unlawful surveillance are false and misleading.”
Totok Announces Return
Totok announced its return to the Google Play Store through a Twitter post on January 4, 2020. The company wrote: “Dear ToTok Community, The wait is over. We are happy to inform you #ToTok is now available for download on the Google Play Store.
Thank you for your patience. Let’s connect!” As of this report, the app remains unavailable on the Apple App Store.
It is not known whether Apple has reviewed the app for possible security concerns or has decided to exclude it from its platform.
Broader Context of Surveillance Concerns
The Totok situation fits into a wider pattern of worries about government monitoring through consumer applications. The New York Times report highlighted how the UAE has employed technology to track dissidents, journalists, and activists. The country has faced accusations of using spyware such as Pegasus, created by the Israeli firm NSO Group, to access targets’ phones.
DarkMatter, the company linked to Totok’s publisher, has been characterized as a group of former US and Israeli intelligence operatives who provide hacking and surveillance services to the UAE government. The company has denied any involvement with the Totok app.
The return of Totok to the Google Play Store raises questions about how app stores evaluate applications for security and privacy. Google has not publicly explained why it permitted the app back on its platform. The company maintains policies against apps that collect user data without consent or that are used for surveillance.
The app’s reinstatement also underscores the difficulties of regulating cross-border technology. Totok is based in the UAE, but its users are located across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
The app’s removal and return demonstrate how quickly digital tools can be impacted by geopolitical tensions. The situation remains unresolved. Totok is accessible again on Android devices, but its future on Apple devices is uncertain.
Users who download the app should be mindful of the privacy concerns raised by the New York Times report. The UAE government and Totok’s publisher continue to deny any misconduct.
The app’s return does not settle the fundamental questions about its security and purpose.
Sources
- ToTok returns to Google Play Store after accusations of spying – CNET
- Google and Apple remove alleged UAE spy app ToTok – BBC
