China finds Agoda, Subway, Domino’s Pizza apps violating users’ rights in latest check of security and data collection

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has called out 47 apps for illegal collection of user data and other offences

The companies have until September 5 to solve the problems or face punishment, according to a statement

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The Domino’s Pizza app in China has been singled out for excessively requesting permission, while China says apps from Subway and Yoshinoya forced users to accept targeted push messages. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:33pm, 29 Aug 2022Updated: 12:34pm, 29 Aug 2022

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has called out apps run by Agoda, Subway, Domino’s Pizza, and 44 other companies for violating users’ rights in its latest check-up of app security.

Travel booking site Agoda’s China app has “illegally collected user information”, while the Domino’s Pizza app in the country has “requested for permission in a forced, frequent and excessive way”, the ministry said in its latest list of problematic apps, released on Friday.

In addition, apps from sandwich maker Subway and Japanese fast food chain Yoshinoya forced users to turn on a targeted push feature, the ministry said.

The MIIT has told the companies to solve the problems by September 5 or face punishment, according to the statement.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology headquarters in Beijing. The ministry has issued 25 lists of problematic apps in the last three years, with the new list being the fifth this year. Photo: Handout

None of the companies above immediately responded for comment.

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