World Cup apps from the Qatari government collect more personal information than they need to, according to Germany’s data protection agency, which this week warned football fans to only install the two apps “if it is absolutely necessary.” Also: consider using a burner phone.<\/p>\n
The two apps are Ehteraz<\/a>, a Covid-19 tracker from the Qatari Ministry of Public Health, and Hayya<\/a> from the government’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy overseeing the Cup locally, which allows ticket holders entry into the stadiums and access to free metro and bus transportation services.<\/p>\n Norway’s data protection agency, meanwhile, this week said<\/a> it was “alarmed by the extensive access the apps require” and warned that Qatari authorities likely use the apps to monitors’ users location, in addition to snooping through personal data.<\/p>\n