The “Official Trump 2020 App” has come under the scanner for its associated privacy risks. Given how the software collects questionable amounts of personal data from its users after gaining access through excessive permission requests, the app has amassed criticism from cybersecurity researchers.

The App which is available on App Store and Google Play Store seeks a host of personal details such as name, home address, and zip code after verification of the user’s phone number. The App then gets direct access to contacts, rough location, Bluetooth pairing, storage, ID and call information, and more upon being downloaded.

That aside, the App’s disclaimer – warning users about its ability to “access one’s location even when it’s not open, which decreases battery life.”—serves as a real bummer. What’s more, there’s always a possibility that the data procured through the App can be used to outreach or influence efforts for Trump’s campaign.

“Regardless of political perspective, this App raises several privacy-related concerns,” said an independent cybersecurity researcher Sean Wright to a news outlet. “In some aspects, it does appear to be more like a spy in a pocket rather than an app to help make an informed decision who to vote for in the next presidential election,” Wright added.

Tech experts have claimed that the Trump 2020 App can amass considerable power in the dissemination of news, upon being installed. For instance, the App will be able to share the news with supporters while collecting their data, without banking on social networks that have slammed Team Trump's controversial advertising tactics.

What’s interesting to note is that Trump's political rival Joe Biden has employed a similar strategy to target voters. However, Biden’s App didn’t seem as invasive as compared to the U.S. president’s, despite the user sharing access to their contact lists.

On the other hand, while The White House is yet to have made any official announcements about a second stimulus payment. But Trump, and his treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin have indicated that things are looking positive on that front. So, it is safe to surmise that a chunk of Americans can expect the second round of cash payments as the next virus aid package.

“I think the tax rebates or the direct mail checks are on the table," Kudlow told a media outlet on Tuesday. “There are a lot of discussions going on. Probably, we would want to target those folks who lost their jobs and are most in need. All right, that’s the speculation on my part, but I think this is — that’s where it’s going,” Mnuchin added.

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"The ban on H-1B visas, which are often used to fill very niche positions that are not easily found in the American workforce, will ultimately prove to be counterproductive and is an example of using a nuclear bomb to address a bar fight," said Leon Fresco, a former deputy assistant attorney general in the Obama administration who now represents H-1B workers. Photo by History in HD on Unsplash
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