The mandatory COVID app for the Qatar World Cup is basically government-sponsored spyware
In just over three weeks, the 2022 World Cup will kick off in Qatar — a country about the size of the state of Connecticut with zero noted soccer history. The entire buildup to this World Cup has been an embarrassment for FIFA, which shamelessly accepted bribes in the bidding process and refused to move the tournament over the subsequent eight years even amid well-documented human rights abuses.
I can go all day about the reasons that fans should avoid traveling to Qatar for this World Cup (hotel shortage, lack of infrastructure, draconian laws). But for the fans who are indeed making the trip to Qatar, they better be prepared to give the Qatari government access to their phones because the mandatory COVID app is essentially state-sponsored spyware.
According to Norwegian news outlet NRK (h/t SB Nation), the “Ehteraz” COVID app required for visitors is going to give Qatar full access to phones and its data in ways that should make visitors think twice about going (or at least bringing personal phones to Qatar).
The app will do the following, via SB Nation:
– Always on, GPS-aided tracking
– Complete access to the phone, including the ability to read, erase, or modify data
– Remote access to connect to WiFi and Bluetooth
– The ability to override all other apps on the phone
– Complete control ensuring the device can’t be turned off or made to sleep
These functions can be used to read personal correspondence like texts and messaging apps. Fans are also giving the Qatari government the ability to remote access their phones by downloading the app, and that function could remain intact when fans return home. Doesn’t that sound great?
If someone must go to Qatar for this World Cup, the safest bet would be to purchase a burner phone and toss it upon leaving the country. But of course, you could just stay home because this World Cup is setting up to be the Fyre Fest of soccer tournaments.