Instal the new for apple House Party: A Trojan Horse of Surveillance?

As millions of users flock to the viral video chat platform Houseparty to stay connected during the Covid-19 lockdown, concerns are growing about the app's privacy statement and potential exploitation of user data. The app's sudden surge in popularity has raised eyebrows among experts, who warn that its informal meeting structure may be hiding a sinister purpose.

Houseparty, owned by Epic Games, was launched in 2016 but only managed to average around 130,000 downloads until this month. However, last week alone, the app saw an astonishing two million downloads, making it New Zealand's most downloaded mobile app overnight. But what drives this sudden popularity?

Ekant Veer, a professor of marketing at Canterbury University, believes that Houseparty has tapped into people's desire for social connection during isolation. 'We are physically separated, but we can still be social and this is what these apps are allowing us to do,' he said.

However, Gehan Gunasekara, an associate professor in commercial law at the University of Auckland, is more cautious in his assessment. He likens Houseparty to a 'trojan horse', warning that its lack of transparency about data collection could be a major concern. 'You're essentially allowing this app to access your smartphone and your smartphone tells a lot about you, your movement, your locations, your contacts, how often you contact people, who you communicate with, and they'll be able to basically track your every move,' he said.

Houseparty's privacy statement has sparked worries that user data is being exploited for commercial means. Under the company's policy, personal data is collected automatically unless the user opts out, and even when they do some data is still collected. This raises questions about how the app is using this information and whether it's being shared with third-party companies.

While Houseparty may be a fun way to stay connected with friends during lockdown, experts urge users to exercise caution when sharing their personal data online. As Professor Gunasekara warned, 'You're essentially allowing this app to access your smartphone and your smartphone tells a lot about you.'

In the age of digital surveillance, it's essential for users to be aware of the potential risks involved with using apps like Houseparty. Until more transparency is provided by the company regarding data collection and usage, users may want to reconsider their enthusiasm for this viral video chat platform.