Vault Apps Disguised as Calculators Are Hiding Data on Smartphones
By
Nichols deCourville
Summary
The article discusses the rise of "Vault Apps" on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store — applications disguised as simple tools (like calculators) that actually function as hidden vaults for storing private apps, photos, videos, and data. These apps appear innocuous on the surface but require a secret passcode or gesture to unlock the hidden vault functionality. The piece explores how these apps work, their legitimate privacy use cases (e.g., for journalists, activists, or users sharing devices), as well as potential concerns about misuse and the ethical implications of app store policies regarding such disguised software.
Source
bskyVault Apps Disguised as Calculators Are Hiding Data on Smartphonesbgr.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledA new wave of apps is hitting the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and while parents may think their kids are just doing math, they could actually be hiding a secret digital vault.
These vault apps look like fully functional calculators — but enter a secret code, and they transform into a hidden space for private files.
For journalists and activists in repressive regimes, these apps can be a matter of safety, not just privacy.
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