Related: How To Find Out What Data Android Apps Collect From YouĪ recent study, run by researcher Gabi Cirli of the cybersecurity company White Ops, revealed that Cheetah had been collecting data through its applications, Security Master, Clean Master, CM Browser, and CM Launcher. Regardless, the app remained active and popular, possessing over one billion installs before its ban. In 2018, the corporation was accused of conducting ad fraud which led to Google removing all of Cheetah Mobile’s applications from the Play Store. In 2014, it was found that ads promoting Clean Master tried to scare users into downloading the app with pop-ups that told them a virus had infected their device. The report is only the latest in a line of controversies for the company and app. While it promises antivirus protection and private browsing, the app is understood to have been recording online browsing, searches, and the name of every Wi-Fi access point the device connects to.

A recent study found that the Clean Master cybersecurity application from China's Cheetah Mobile has been recording more user data than it probably should.