A mandatory app for Beijing 2022 Olympic athletes poses many personal security risks including collection of vulnerable medical information, says a new Canadian study..The University of Toronto study analysis of the MY2022 Olympics app, examined the data collection, privacy policy, and censorship content..The study called the flaws “simple but devastating,” as the security can be worked around pertaining to individuals’ voice audio and file transfers..The app’s data collection policy is clear, however, its security breaches the rules of Google’s Unwanted Software Policy, Apple’s App Store guidelines, and even China’s domestic laws on privacy protection..Medical and travel history, demographic information, and health customs forms that include passport details, are all vulnerable information on the app..It was found the server responses are not completely secure, meaning it could be possible for an outside source to create fake notifications for the users or direct them to fake sites..The Chinese government owns the Beijing Financial Holdings Group, which are the owners of the MY2022 app..Part of its function is to monitor the health of participants related to COVID-19, including vaccination status, passport information and other personal details for international users..The report said that, according to the official Olympics Games Playbook, such information can be processed by Chinese government authorities and Beijing Organizing Committee..MY2022 also contains a list of 2,442 “politically sensitive” keywords that are flagged based on the Chinese government’s discretion..Additionally, the app does not inform users of what other organizations’ data could be shared..The app is necessary for all attendants, including spectators, athletes, and journalists..All visitors to the games will need to be fully vaccinated based on origin-country rules or attain approval of exemption and quarantine for 21 days prior if unvaccinated according to the playbook..All participants will also be COVID-19 tested daily..The 2022 Beijing Olympics were already shrouded in controversy, as global protests in February of 2021 arose against the games being held due to China’s ongoing genocide against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang..Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom have all pledged a diplomatic boycott of the games, refusing to send any government officials..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.esudyk@westernstandardonline.com
