Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Co-creator Defends Suspected UAE Spying App Called ToTok

Associated Press

   ABU DHABI, UAE - The co-creator of a video and voice calling app
   suspected of being a spying tool of the United Arab Emirates defended
   his work in an interview with The Associated Press and denied knowing
   that people and companies linked to the project had ties to the
   country's intelligence apparatus.

   Millions downloaded the ToTok app during the several months it was
   offered in the Apple and Google stores. Co-founder Giacomo Ziani
   described the popularity as a sign of users' trust despite a longtime
   ban in the UAE on such apps.

   He 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
   criticized 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 scrutinized abroad for hiring former CIA and National
   Security Agency staffers. He also said he did not know about ties a
   computer researcher says link 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. "These are not questions you
   should be (asking) me. You should be eventually asking" them.

.